Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit (B06)

The Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense, catalogued as ECO B06. The line runs 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 d6 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 Pterodactyl Defense generally: ECO A40. A chess opening with 34 known variations.

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.

Pterodactyl Defense: Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit — position after Qa5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 d6 5. dxc5 Qa5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4g6
2d4Bg7
3c4c5
4Nc3d6
5dxc5Qa5

ECO: B06

Stockfish: +1.55 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Pterodactyl Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit?

The Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit goes 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 d6 5. dxc5 Qa5. It is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense and is catalogued as ECO B06.

What is the ECO code for the Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit?

The Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit is ECO B06. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Pterodactyl Defense.

Is the Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nc3 d6 5. dxc5 Qa5 at +1.55 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for White. 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.

What kind of position does the Central, Quetzalcoatlus Gambit lead to?

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.