Pterodactyl Defense: Fianchetto, Queen Benoni Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
12,639 games: White 54.2% / Draw 3.8% / Black 42.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 9,7249,724 | ||
| 1,9711,971 | ||
| 353353 | ||
| 271271 | ||
| 137137 | ||
| 4747 | ||
| 4545 | ||
| 2222 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.31 White is better
Best play: 5. Bd2 Nf6 6. e4 d6 7. h3 e6 8. Nf3 a6 9. a4 O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Fianchetto, Queen 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. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Qa5 (4 moves).
In 12,639 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.2%, Black 42.0% and 3.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 77% 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: Fianchetto, Queen Benoni Pterodactyl
The most played answer, 5. Bd2, also scores best for White: 57.3%, with White winning 55.5% and Black 40.8% of 9,724 games. Of the main answers, 5. Qc2 scores lowest: 53.0%. 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: Fianchetto, Queen Benoni Pterodactyl (A40)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-fianchetto-queen-benoni-pterodactyl