Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon
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Statistics from Lichess
3,402 games: White 58.0% / Draw 4.4% / Black 37.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,4102,410 | ||
| 488488 | ||
| 155155 | ||
| 120120 | ||
| 113113 | ||
| 5050 | ||
| 4444 | ||
| 1414 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+2.16 White is clearly better
Best play: 6. Bd2 Nf6 7. c4 Qd8 8. Bd3 d6 9. Ne2 e5 10. a4 Qe7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Modern Defense: Modern Pterodactyl, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Qa5 (5 moves).
In 3,402 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 58.0%, Black 37.6% and 4.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Bd2, in 71% 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: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon
The most played answer, 6. Bd2, also scores best for White: 60.5%, with White winning 58.0% and Black 37.0% of 2,410 games. Of the main answers, 6. Bb2 scores lowest: 60.3%. Stockfish's first choice is also 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. “Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pteranodon (B06)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-eastern-benoni-pteranodon