ECO B27 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5

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

5… Bxc3++0.97

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bxc3+ for Black. White is clearly better (+0.97).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.975… Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Nf6 7. Bb2 Nxe4 8. Bd3 Nd6 9. Qe2 b5 10. O-O
  2. +1.005… d6 6. Nd2 a6 7. Nc4 Qc7 8. a4 Nd7 9. Be2 Nb6 10. Ne3
  3. +1.035… Nf6 6. Nd2 d6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nc4 Qc7 9. a4 Nbd7 10. Bf4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bxc3+ for Black, continuing 6. bxc3 Nf6 7. Bb2 Nxe4 8. Bd3 Nd6 9. Qe2 b5 10. O-O. White is clearly better (+0.97). The next best moves are 5… d6 (+1.00) and 5… Nf6 (+1.03).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.97: 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: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit?
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+).