Pterodactyl Defense: Fianchetto, Queen Pterodactyl
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
544 games: White 49.4% / Draw 4.4% / Black 46.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 344344 | ||
| 160160 | ||
| 2626 | ||
| 88 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 22 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 6, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.29 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. Bc3 cxd4 7. Bxd4 Bxd4 8. Qxd4 Qxd4 9. Nxd4 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Fianchetto, Queen Pterodactyl (ECO A40, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense, reached after 1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Qa5+ (4 moves).
In 544 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.4%, Black 46.1% and 4.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. c3, in 63% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Pterodactyl Defense: Fianchetto, Queen Pterodactyl
5. Bd2 scores best for White: 52.8%, with White winning 50.0% and Black 44.4% of 160 games. The most played answer, 5. c3, scores lowest: 51.9% in 344 games. 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 Pterodactyl (A40)”. Lichess data as of 6 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-fianchetto-queen-pterodactyl