Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Unpin
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Statistics from Lichess
4,918 games: White 42.0% / Draw 3.6% / Black 54.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,8893,889 | ||
| 341341 | ||
| 314314 | ||
| 146146 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 7373 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 1010 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 25, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.13 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... cxd4 6. Nd5 Qd8 7. Bf4 d6 8. Nxd4 Nf6 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. Be3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Unpin (ECO B27, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Modern Defense: Pterodactyl Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Bd2 (5 moves).
In 4,918 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.0%, Black 54.4% and 3.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…cxd4, in 79% 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, Unpin
The most played answer, 5…cxd4, also scores best for Black: 59.4%, with Black winning 57.7% and White 38.9% of 3,889 games. Of the main answers, 5…Nf6 scores lowest: 43.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5…cxd4.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Unpin (B27)”. Lichess data as of 25 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-sicilian-unpin