Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
5,841 games: White 52.7% / Draw 3.5% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,0405,040 | ||
| Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit | 308308 | |
| 230230 | ||
| 5858 | ||
| 4848 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 2222 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.43 White is better
Best play: 5. Bd2 d6 6. f4 Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. Bc4 Qd8 9. O-O Na6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pterodactyl (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a chess opening that starts 1. d4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. e4 c5 4. d5 Qa5.
In 5,841 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.7%, Black 43.8% and 3.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 86% 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 Pterodactyl
5. Nf3 (Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit) scores best for White: 61.9%, with White winning 60.4% and Black 36.7% of 308 games. The most played answer, 5. Bd2, scores lowest: 55.0% in 5,040 games. Stockfish's first choice is 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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Benoni Pterodactyl (B06)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-eastern-benoni-pterodactyl