Library/Openings/Modern Defense/Semi-Averbakh Variation/Pterodactyl Variation ECO A04
Opening· 8 plies

Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO A04), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 Qa5+.

Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation ECO A04
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Black rook
Black knight
Black bishop
Black king
Black knight
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black bishop
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black queen
Black pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White knight
White bishop
White queen
White king
White bishop
White rook
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No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code A04. ECO group A (A00–A99) covers flank and irregular openings, including the English, Bird, Réti and Dutch defences. This particular variation is reached after 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 Qa5+.

It belongs to the Modern Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Semi-Averbakh Variation → Pterodactyl Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.Nf3 c5, 2.c4 g6, 3.d4 Bg7, 4.e4 Qa5+. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.