ECO A40 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Pterodactyl

1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Qa5+

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

5. Nc3+1.05

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Pterodactyl (A40), reached after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is clearly better (+1.05).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.055. Nc3 d6 6. Bd2 Qd8 7. Be2 Nf6 8. h4 h5 9. Nf3 Ng4
  2. +1.035. Bd2 Qd8 6. Nc3 d6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. h4 h5 9. Nf3 Ng4
  3. +0.735. Nd2 d6 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. Nf3 Ngf6 8. a4 Qc7 9. O-O O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Pterodactyl?
After 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing d6 6. Bd2 Qd8 7. Be2 Nf6 8. h4 h5 9. Nf3 Ng4. White is clearly better (+1.05). The next best moves are 5. Bd2 (+1.03) and 5. Nd2 (+0.73).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Pterodactyl a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.05: 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 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+).