Chess opening · ECO B27

Modern Defense: Pterodactyl Variation

The Modern Defense: Pterodactyl Variation starts 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5. Rated players in the opening books rarely follow it all the way, so it has no popularity rank, but it is one of the best-known lines and has a page of its own.

The position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... c5Black pushes the c-pawn two squares to c5.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... g6Black advances the g-pawn to g6.
  5. 3. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  6. 3... Bg7Black develops the dark-squared bishop to g7.
  7. 4. Nc3White develops the queenside knight to c3.
  8. 4... Qa5Black moves the queen from d8 to a5. It now attacks the knight on c3.

Related openings

Sicilian DefenseThe line this one grows from

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