Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
8,171 games: White 50.8% / Draw 3.9% / Black 45.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,0675,067 | ||
| 1,2691,269 | ||
| 1,2211,221 | ||
| 606606 | ||
| 88 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.34 White is better
Best play: 5. Bd2 Qd8 6. Nc3 d6 7. Bd3 e5 8. h3 Nd7 9. Nf3 a6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni 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. e4 c5 4. d5 Qa5+ (4 moves).
In 8,171 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.8%, Black 45.3% and 3.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 62% 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 Pterodactyl
The most played answer, 5. Bd2, also scores best for White: 53.2%, with White winning 51.4% and Black 45.0% of 5,067 games. Of the main answers, 5. Nc3 scores lowest: 51.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. 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 Pterodactyl (A40)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-central-benoni-pterodactyl