Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Pteranodon
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3
6… Qxc3+−0.01
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Pteranodon (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Qxc3+ for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.01).
Top engine moves
- −0.016… Qxc3+ 7. Bd2 Qxc5 8. Bd3 d6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Bh6 Ng4 11. Bg7
- +0.096… Nf6 7. Bb2 Nxe4 8. Qd4 Nf6 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. Qc4 b6 11. cxb6
- +0.686… Nc6 7. Rb1 Qxc3+ 8. Qd2 Qxd2+ 9. Nxd2 Nf6 10. f3 b6 11. cxb6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Pteranodon?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Qxc3+ for Black, continuing 7. Bd2 Qxc5 8. Bd3 d6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Bh6 Ng4 11. Bg7. The position is roughly equal (−0.01). The next best moves are 6… Nf6 (+0.09) and 6… Nc6 (+0.68).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Pteranodon a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.01: the position is roughly equal. 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, Pteranodon?
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+).