Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense

The Czerniak Defense, 9...Re8, uses the half-open e-file at once to put pressure on e4, postponing the queenside expansion with ...a6 and ...b5. White most often protects the pawn with 10. Nd2, the Tal Line. The other usual answers are 10. Qc2 and 10. Bd3. Engines give White a slight edge, and White scores somewhat better in Lichess games. The line's name recalls the Israeli master Moshe Czerniak, who played the Modern Benoni frequently.