Pterodactyl Defense · B06
Austrian, Grand Prix Pterodactyl
1. e4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. f4 c5 4. Nf3 Qa5
Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the Modern Defense.
- 2. Nc3 Develops the knight to c3, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the e4 pawn.
- 2... Bg7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d4 and e5 from a distance.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 33 in the Pterodactyl Defense. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.