Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl
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Statistics from Lichess
22,955 games: White 45.9% / Draw 4.6% / Black 49.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,10513K | ||
| 1,6401,640 | ||
| 1,6071,607 | ||
| 1,4861,486 | ||
| 1,4621,462 | ||
| 1,1241,124 | ||
| 1,0791,079 | ||
| 473473 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.34 White is better
Best play: 5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Ne7 7. d5 b5 8. Bd3 c4 9. Bc2 Bb7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Pterodactyl (ECO B27, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 Bg7 4. d4 Qa5 (4 moves).
In 22,955 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.9%, Black 49.6% and 4.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bd2, in 57% 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, Pterodactyl
5. Nbd2 scores best for White: 55.6%, with White winning 53.2% and Black 41.9% of 1,486 games. The most played answer, 5. Bd2, scores lowest: 46.4% in 13K games. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Bc4.
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: Western, Pterodactyl (B27)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pterodactyl-defense-western-pterodactyl