Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
8,730 games: White 48.5% / Draw 4.6% / Black 47.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 4,2374,237 | ||
| 2,6422,642 | ||
| 664664 | ||
| 315315 | ||
| 273273 | ||
| 257257 | ||
| 104104 | ||
| 5454 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.95 White is better
Best play: 7. Bd2 Nf6 8. Bd3 e5 9. h3 Qd8 10. Bh6 Qe7 11. Qd2 Kd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense, reached after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. e4 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qa5 (6 moves).
In 8,730 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.5%, Black 47.0% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Bd2, in 49% 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: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl
The most played answer, 7. Bd2, also scores best for White: 52.5%, with White winning 50.0% and Black 45.0% of 4,237 games. Of the main answers, 7. Qb3 scores lowest: 47.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. 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. “Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl (A40)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-central-benoni-beefeater-pterodactyl