Pterodactyl Defense · B06

Fianchetto, Rhamphorhynchus

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. g3 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5+

An early pawn trade leaves the c-file as Black's avenue and the d-file as White's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it. 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. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2... Bg7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d4 and e5 from a distance.

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