ECO B06 · Modern Defense

Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Qa5+

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. Nc3+0.53

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.536. Nc3 Bg4 7. dxc5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qxc5 9. Qd4 Nf6 10. e5 Qxd4
  2. +0.306. Bd2 Qb6 7. Bc3 cxd4 8. Bxd4 Bxd4 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. Nxd4 Nc6
  3. +0.106. Kf1 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8. Be3 Qb4 9. Nc3 Qxb2 10. Ndb5 Bxc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined?
After 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Nc3 for White, continuing Bg4 7. dxc5 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 Qxc5 9. Qd4 Nf6 10. e5 Qxd4. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 6. Bd2 (+0.30) and 6. Kf1 (+0.10).
Is the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined?
B06. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).