Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Rhamphorhynchus
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Statistics from Lichess
97,328 games: White 48.0% / Draw 4.4% / Black 47.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 61,56262K | ||
| 30,88631K | ||
| 3,6983,698 | ||
| 719719 | ||
| 226226 | ||
| 6161 | ||
| 5050 | ||
| 3939 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 24, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.21 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qxc3+ 7. Bd2 Qxc5 8. Bd3 Nf6 9. O-O d6 10. h3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Rhamphorhynchus (ECO B27, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Rhamphorhynchus, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. dxc5 Qa5+ 5. Nc3 (5 moves).
In 97,328 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.0%, Black 47.6% and 4.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Qxc5, in 63% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Pteranodon. In all, 2 named lines continue from it.
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, Rhamphorhynchus
5…Bxc3+ scores best for Black: 51.9%, with Black winning 49.6% and White 45.8% of 31K games. The most played answer, 5…Qxc5, scores lowest: 48.4% in 62K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 5…Bxc3+.
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
Variations (1)
Transpositions
All 2 named lines that continue from here
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Rhamphorhynchus (B27)”. Lichess data as of 24 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-sicilian-rhamphorhynchus