The Sicilian, Benoni Gambit is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense, catalogued as ECO B27. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
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.
See all 17 Pterodactyl Defense variations →
The Sicilian, Benoni Gambit goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5. It is a variation of the Pterodactyl Defense and is catalogued as ECO B27.
The Sicilian, Benoni Gambit is ECO B27. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Pterodactyl Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. d5 at +0.87 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.