Hyperaccelerated Pterodactyl

Instead of breaking up White's center with the standard 3...cxd4, Black develops the fianchettoed bishop at once and leaves the c5-pawn en prise. The bishop eyes d4 and the long diagonal toward c3 and a1, and the position transposes into the Pterodactyl complex, which is more often reached from the Modern Defense with an early ...c5. The move is a sideline. The engine gives White a slight edge, although Black has scored marginally better than White in online games.

White's most common reply is 4. c3, supporting d4 and keeping the two-pawn center. Next is 4. dxc5, which leads to the Exchange Variation, 4...Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qxc3+. Black regains the material at the cost of the dark-squared bishop, while White's queenside pawns are broken and the game turns sharp. The third main option, 4. d5, gains space and blunts the g7-bishop by fixing a pawn wedge in the center. All three are among the engine's preferred moves.