ECO B06 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon

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

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

6. Bd2+1.47

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Bd2 for White. White is clearly better (+1.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.476. Bd2 Nf6 7. c4 Qc7 8. f3 d6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Ne2 b6
  2. +1.436. Ne2 d6 7. a4 f5 8. exf5 Nf6 9. fxg6 hxg6 10. h4 Na6
  3. +1.406. f3 Qxc3+ 7. Bd2 Qg7 8. Ne2 Nf6 9. g4 d6 10. Bc3 h6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon?
After 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Bd2 for White, continuing Nf6 7. c4 Qc7 8. f3 d6 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Ne2 b6. White is clearly better (+1.47). The next best moves are 6. Ne2 (+1.43) and 6. f3 (+1.40).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.47: 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: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon?
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+).