Pterodactyl Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
2,287 games: White 40.9% / Draw 5.8% / Black 53.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 798798 | ||
| 586586 | ||
| 342342 | ||
| 241241 | ||
| 128128 | ||
| 107107 | ||
| 2323 | ||
| 1616 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 15, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.58 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. d5 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 Bg4 8. Qc2 Bxf3 9. gxf3 Nd7 10. Bg2 O-O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense (ECO A42, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation, reached after 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 d6 (5 moves).
In 2,287 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 40.9%, Black 53.3% and 5.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Be2, in 35% 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 Pterodactyl Defense
6. d5 scores best for White: 46.2%, with White winning 43.6% and Black 51.2% of 342 games. The most played, 6. Be2, scores 45.9% in 798 games, and 6. Bd2 scores lowest: 35.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. d5.
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. “Pterodactyl Defense (A42)”. Lichess data as of 15 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense