Pterodactyl Defense · A40
Fianchetto, Queen Pteranodon
1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 Qa5
The structure hands White the half-open b-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, 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. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre 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.