ECO B06 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera

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

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

5. Nc3+0.81

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. Be3 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is clearly better (+0.81).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.815. Nc3 d6 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Bxd4 Bxd4 8. Nxd4 Nf6 9. Nb3 Qb6
  2. +0.415. c3 Nf6 6. e5 Nd5 7. Bd2 O-O 8. c4 Nb4 9. dxc5 d6
  3. +0.415. Qd2 Qxd2+ 6. Nbxd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8. N2b3 d6 9. f3 Bd7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera?
After 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. Be3 Qa5+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing d6 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Bxd4 Bxd4 8. Nxd4 Nf6 9. Nb3 Qb6. White is clearly better (+0.81). The next best moves are 5. c3 (+0.41) and 5. Qd2 (+0.41).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.81: 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: Western, Anhanguera?
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+).