Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line
- 1.d4Nf6
- 2.c4c5
- 3.d5e6
- 4.Nc3exd5
- 5.cxd5d6
- 6.e4g6
- 7.Nf3Bg7
- 8.Be2O-O
- 9.O-ORe8
- 10.Nd2
577 games
Benoni line where White meets the Czerniak Defense's 9...Re8 with 10. Nd2, guarding e4 and rerouting the knight; White keeps a slight edge.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Tal Line
In the Tal Line, White answers the rook's pressure on e4 with 10. Nd2. The knight defends the pawn from d2 and can later continue to c4, where it eyes d6 and supports the e4–e5 break. The most frequent reply is 10...a6, which prepares ...b5. The knight developments 10...Nbd7 and 10...Na6 are less common but have scored better for Black in Lichess games. Engines rate the position as a slight plus for White.