ECO B27 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Be3

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5… Nf6+0.76

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Be3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.76).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.765… Nf6 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ng4 8. Nb3 Bxc3 9. Nxa5 Bxd2+ 10. Bxd2
  2. +0.765… cxd4 6. Nxd4 d6 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. Kb1 Rc8 10. f4
  3. +0.805… d6 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. Kb1 Rc8 10. f4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Be3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nf6 for Black, continuing 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ng4 8. Nb3 Bxc3 9. Nxa5 Bxd2+ 10. Bxd2. White is slightly better (+0.76). The next best moves are 5… cxd4 (+0.76) and 5… d6 (+0.80).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.76: 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 Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera?
B27. 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+).