The Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted is a variation of the Modern Defense, catalogued as ECO A04. The line runs 1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. c4 c5 5. dxc5 Qa5+, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after five moves. White has doubled pawns on the c-file.
On the Modern Defense generally: Similar to the Pirc but more flexible. Black fianchettoes the king's bishop early.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 9 Modern Defense variations →
The Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted goes 1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. c4 c5 5. dxc5 Qa5+. It is a variation of the Modern Defense and is catalogued as ECO A04.
The Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Accepted is ECO A04. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Modern Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. Nf3 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. c4 c5 5. dxc5 Qa5+ at +0.57 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has doubled pawns on the c-file.