Sicilian: Accelerated Pterodactyl, 4.Nc3

Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Pterodactyl, 4.Nc3

Definition

The Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Pterodactyl, 4.Nc3 is a rare but provocative line of the Sicilian in which Black combines an early kings-side fianchetto (…g6, …Bg7) with a delayed capture on d4. The basic move order is:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.Nc3 (ECO code B27). Black is said to be “accelerated” because the usual Sicilian capture …cxd4 is postponed, and “Pterodactyl” because the later sortie …Qa5 (or sometimes …Qb6) and the long-diagonal bishop are fancifully imagined to resemble a flying reptile’s wings.

Typical Move Order & Position

After 4.Nc3 the critical choices are:

• 4…cxd4 5.Nxd4 transposing to a hybrid of the Accelerated Dragon and the regular Pterodactyl.
• 4…Qa5 (pure Pterodactyl), putting immediate pressure on d4 and c3.
• 4…d6 or 4…Nc6, maintaining tension and keeping the center fluid.

The resulting positions are “hyper-modern”: Black invites White to build a broad pawn centre, intending to undermine it later with piece pressure and timely pawn breaks (…cxd4, …d5 or …b5).

Strategic Ideas

• Black’s plan
  • Control the long a1–h8 diagonal with the fianchetto bishop.
  • Use the queen (usually to a5 or b6) to attack c3 and d4, tying White’s pieces to defence.
  • Maintain central tension; only capture on d4 when it gains time or opens lines for the bishop.
  • Typical pawn breaks: …d5 (as in the Accelerated Dragon) or …b5.
• White’s plan
  • Complete development smoothly with Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0, f3, and possibly h4-h5, echoing Yugoslav-style attacks.
  • Occupy the centre with pawns on e4, d4 (or d5) and support them with pieces.
  • Punish Black’s delay in capturing by pushing d4-d5 or by seizing space on the queenside with c2-c4.

Historical Background

Although the Sicilian Dragon and Accelerated Dragon have long pedigrees, the specific “Pterodactyl” branch gained its colourful name in the late 20^th century from English FM Eric Schiller and American IM Tim Taylor, who felt the outlines of the bishop and queen resembled a prehistoric creature in flight. The “Accelerated” version (delaying …cxd4) appeared in practice in the 1980s, notably in games by GM Lubomir Ftáčnik and GM Lev Alburt.

Notable Games

1. Ftáčnik – Alburt, New York Open 1987
   
   Alburt demonstrated the thematic …Qa5 pressure and broke in the centre with …d5, eventually winning a dynamic middlegame.
2. P. Nielsen – Sutovsky, Bundesliga 2002 White tried an early c2-c4 set-up, but Black’s counter-thrust …b5 seized the initiative.

Common Tactical Motifs

• Pin on the c3–knight: …Qa5 or …Qb6 targets the pinned knight to win the d4-pawn.
• Exchange sacrifice on c3: …Rxc3 followed by …Qxd4, similar to Dragon ideas.
• Greek Gift analogue: If White castles short too early, …Bxb2 and …Qxa1 tactics can appear.

Sample Line

A modern main-line continuation:

Black keeps the centre fluid and eyes the thematic break …d5, while White prepares a kingside pawn storm.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The opening’s “prehistoric” name inspired several entertaining articles titled “When Dinosaurs Attack the Sicilian.”
• Because it often leaves the c5-pawn undefended, beginners sometimes stumble into 5.dxc5!?, after which Black must be ready with compensation or an accurate recapture.
• Grandmaster Ben Finegold once quipped during a lecture, “If you see a Pterodactyl hovering over the board, you probably forgot to play d4-d5 in time.”
• On online servers the line is a favourite surprise weapon in blitz; the unusual early …Bg7 often confuses opponents expecting the normal Accelerated Dragon.