Pterodactyl Defense · B06

Western, Siroccopteryx

1. e4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. d4 c5 4. Bc4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 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. 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. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2... Bg7 Fianchettoes the bishop onto the long diagonal, pressuring d4 and e5 from a distance.

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