Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted
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Statistics from Lichess
6,753 games: White 46.7% / Draw 5.5% / Black 47.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,9123,912 | ||
| 1,8211,821 | ||
| 612612 | ||
| 282282 | ||
| 123123 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.74 White is better
Best play: 6. Bd2 Qxc5 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Qc7 10. Rc1 Bg4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening: Kingside Fianchetto, reached after 1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. c4 c5 5. dxc5 Qa5+ (5 moves).
In 6,753 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.7%, Black 47.8% and 5.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bd2, in 58% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted
6. Nc3 scores best for White: 51.5%, with White winning 49.0% and Black 46.0% of 1,821 games. The most played, 6. Bd2, scores 49.6% in 3,912 games, and 6. Qd2 scores lowest: 45.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. Bd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted (A04)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-semi-averbakh-variation-pterodactyl-variation-accepted