Modern Defense Standard Pterodactyl Anhanguera Variation
Modern Defense
Definition
The Modern Defense is a hyper-modern chess opening for Black that begins with the fianchetto of the king’s bishop after …g6 and …Bg7. The most common move orders are 1.e4 g6 or 1.d4 g6, but the same structure can be reached against virtually any White first move. Instead of occupying the centre early with pawns, Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre and then strikes back with pawn thrusts such as …d6, …e5 or …c5, and with piece pressure from the long diagonal a1–h8.
Typical Move-Order
Versus 1.e4 the opening often continues:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Be2 O-O (ECO code B06)
Strategic Themes
- Hyper-modern Idea: Control rather than occupy the centre; provoke pawn advances that can later be undermined.
- Flexible Pawn Breaks: …c5, …e5 and occasionally …f5 or …b5 are all on the agenda, chosen according to White’s setup.
- Fianchetto Bishop: The g7-bishop is the soul of the position, pointing at the centre and the queenside.
- Delayed Development: Black often keeps the queen’s knight and queen’s bishop undeveloped until the central structure clarifies.
Historical Notes
The name “Modern” was popularised in the mid-20th century when hyper-modern ideas became fashionable. Grandmasters such as Duncan Suttles, Tiger Hillarp Persson and Bent Larsen used the opening as a primary weapon. Today it is a favourite in rapid and blitz for its flexibility and surprise value.
Illustrative Mini-Game
Interesting Facts
- Because the pawn structure (…g6, …d6, …e5) often resembles the Pirc Defense, the two openings are sometimes grouped together in databases under ECO codes B06–B09.
- World Champions from Fischer to Carlsen have tried the Modern in blitz exhibitions, appreciating its “play for a win” character.
- The opening is endlessly transpositional—after 1.e4 g6 2.Nf3 Bg7 White can steer play toward a Sicilian (with d4 cxd4) or a King’s Indian Attack, while Black can morph into a Robatsch, Pirc or even a Gruenfeld-style setup.
Standard Pterodactyl Variation
Definition
The Pterodactyl Variation is an ambitious branch of the Modern Defense in which Black complements the regular fianchetto with an early …c5 and a bold queen sortie to …Qa5. The “Standard” (core) line arises most frequently against 1.e4:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. dxc5 Qa5 (ECO B07—“Pterodactyl”) 5. Bd2 Qxc5
The swooping queen on a5, reminiscent of a pterodactyl’s beak, gave the system its colourful name.
Strategic Aims
- Immediate Counter-attack: Instead of the slow …d6, Black hits at d4 and c3 right away, trying to show that White’s centre is overextended.
- Queen Activity: …Qa5 eyes both the c- and a-files, and sometimes swings to h5 after …Qe5+.
- Minor-Piece Pressure: …Nc6 and …Nf6 follow rapidly, building on the queen’s initiative and targeting e4.
- Unbalancing the Game: The early pawn sacrifice with 4…Qa5 invites complications and can confuse unprepared opponents.
Historical & Practical Significance
Although rarely employed at elite classical level, the Pterodactyl has been championed by Eric Schiller (who authored a monograph on it) and experimented with by creative grandmasters such as Julian Hodgson and Vladimir Malaniuk in open tournaments and blitz play. Its surprise value and tactical richness make it a favourite in club play.
Model Continuation
Anecdote
The name “Pterodactyl” was coined at a 1970s American Open after a hallway quip that Black’s queen “flies out early like a prehistoric reptile and tries to snap the centre in its jaws.” The humour stuck, and subsequent sub-variations have been christened after other flying dinosaurs.
Anhanguera Variation
Definition
The Anhanguera Variation is a branch of the Pterodactyl that arises primarily against 1.d4 and features an early bishop capture on c3 followed by the combative pawn thrust …f5. The critical position can be reached via:
1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 f5
The line is named after Anhanguera, a Brazilian pterosaur genus, continuing the “prehistoric flyer” theme.
Ideas & Plans
- Structural Imbalance: Black doubles White’s c-pawns and obtains the bishop pair, accepting a slight lag in development.
- Semi-open f-file: After …f5, Black can castle kingside and pressure f- and e-files, or even leave the king in the centre and launch a pawn-storm with …Nf6, …0-0-0, …h5.
- Central Tension: Black’s usual counter in the centre is …e5 or …d6, undermining White’s space-gaining d5-pawn.
- Sharp Play: White may sacrifice a pawn with e4 to accelerate development, leading to double-edged positions.
Sample Line
Historical Usage
The Anhanguera Variation has appeared sporadically in correspondence databases and weekend-open practice. Brazilian IM Rafael Leitão used it to upset higher-rated opponents in national team events, helping popularise the name in South America. Its scarcity in top-level play means fresh analysis can pay rich dividends for the well-prepared.
Trivia
- The term “Anhanguera” is Portuguese for “Old Devil” and also the nickname of an 18th-century Brazilian explorer—another link to adventurous exploration on the chessboard.
- Computer engines initially gave pessimistic evaluations for Black, but with modern table-bases several endgames have been re-assessed as drawable, encouraging renewed interest.
- Some enthusiasts call 4…Bxc3+ “the Jaws move,” arguing that the bishop lops off a key white knight much like the dinosaur’s bite.