ECO A40 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl

1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5

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

7. Bd2+1.04

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl (A40), reached after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bd2 for White. White is clearly better (+1.04).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.047. Bd2 Nd7 8. a4 Ngf6 9. Qc2 Nb6 10. Bd3 Bd7 11. f4 Bxa4
  2. +1.047. Qc2 f5 8. Bd3 fxe4 9. Bxe4 Nf6 10. Bd3 b5 11. cxb5 a6
  3. +0.887. Qb3 Nd7 8. Nf3 Ngf6 9. Bd3 b5 10. cxb5 a6 11. b6 Nxb6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl?
After 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bd2 for White, continuing Nd7 8. a4 Ngf6 9. Qc2 Nb6 10. Bd3 Bd7 11. f4 Bxa4. White is clearly better (+1.04). The next best moves are 7. Qc2 (+1.04) and 7. Qb3 (+0.88).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.04: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl?
A40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

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