Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl

1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qa5

ECO A40

The Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl is a chess opening line in the Pterodactyl Defense complex, reached after 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.e4 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Qa5.

It is catalogued under code A40 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Qa5 is chosen by Black on move 6.

More ECO A40 openings

• Australian Defense — 1.d4
• Benoni Defense — 1.d4
• Borg Defense — 1.e4
• Colle System: Pterodactyl Variation — 1.d4
• Colle System: Siroccopteryx Variation — 1.d4
• English Defense — 1.d4

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Old Benoni course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.