ECO B27 · Pterodactyl Defense

Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 Qa5

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

5. Bc4+0.93

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl (B27), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 Qa5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Bc4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.93).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.935. Bc4 e6 6. Na3 a6 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. Bg5 b5
  2. +0.785. b4 cxb4 6. cxb4 Qxb4+ 7. Bd2 Qb6 8. Nc3 d6 9. Rb1 Qd8
  3. +0.665. d5 d6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. a4 e6 9. dxe6 Bxe6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 Qa5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Bc4 for White, continuing e6 6. Na3 a6 7. O-O cxd4 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. Bg5 b5. White is clearly better (+0.93). The next best moves are 5. b4 (+0.78) and 5. d5 (+0.66).
Is the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.93: 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, Pterodactyl?
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+).