Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
3,445 games: White 51.3% / Draw 4.2% / Black 44.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,6381,638 | ||
| 707707 | ||
| 414414 | ||
| 251251 | ||
| 136136 | ||
| 124124 | ||
| 7676 | ||
| 4545 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.26 White is better
Best play: 5... d6 6. Nd2 Nd7 7. a4 a6 8. Be2 Ngf6 9. O-O Qc7 10. f4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit (ECO B27, Semi-Open Games) is a gambit in the Modern Defense: Pterodactyl Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5 (5 moves).
In 3,445 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.3%, Black 44.6% and 4.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Bxc3+, in 48% 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: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit
5…Qb6 scores best for Black: 50.6%, with Black winning 49.4% and White 48.2% of 251 games. The most played, 5…Bxc3+, scores 46.0% in 1,638 games, and 5…Nf6 scores lowest: 45.5%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…d6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Sicilian, Benoni Gambit (B27)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-sicilian-benoni-gambit