Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera
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Statistics from Lichess
7,765 games: White 48.0% / Draw 5.0% / Black 47.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,6673,667 | ||
| Pterodactyl Defense: Sicilian, Anhanguera | 2,9482,948 | |
| 652652 | ||
| 260260 | ||
| 234234 | ||
| 22 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.06 White is better
Best play: 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qd2 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Ng4 8. Nb3 Bxc3 9. Nxa5 Bxd2+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Modern Defense, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. Be3 Qa5+ (4 moves).
In 7,765 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.0%, Black 47.1% and 5.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. c3, in 47% 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: Western, Anhanguera
5. Qd2 scores best for White: 52.1%, with White winning 47.5% and Black 43.3% of 652 games. The most played, 5. c3, scores 50.6% in 3,667 games, and 5. Nc3 scores lowest: 50.1%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Nc3.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Anhanguera (B06)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-western-anhanguera