Pterodactyl Defense · A40
Fianchetto, Queen Pterodactyl
1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Qa5+
White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal.
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. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 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.