Pterodactyl Defense · B06
Western, Anhanguera
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. Be3 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. 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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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.