Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
70,520 games: White 52.9% / Draw 4.6% / Black 42.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 47,11047K | ||
| 7,5817,581 | ||
| Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Rhamphorhynchus | 6,3296,329 | |
| 3,7793,779 | ||
| 2,7602,760 | ||
| 1,7361,736 | ||
| 329329 | ||
| 233233 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.21 White is better
Best play: 5. Bd2 Qxc5 6. Nd5 Na6 7. Nf3 e6 8. b4 Qf8 9. Nc3 Nc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Pterodactyl (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Rhamphorhynchus, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5 (4 moves).
In 70,520 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.9%, Black 42.5% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 67% 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, Pterodactyl
The most played answer, 5. Bd2, also scores best for White: 56.6%, with White winning 54.3% and Black 41.1% of 47K games. Of the main answers, 5. Be3 scores lowest: 49.2%. 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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pterodactyl Defense: Eastern, Pterodactyl (B06)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-eastern-pterodactyl