Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line
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Statistics from Lichess
51,470 games: White 51.0% / Draw 5.1% / Black 43.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 26,38426K | ||
| Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense | 10,45410K | |
| 10,42310K | ||
| 2,0272,027 | ||
| 606606 | ||
| 466466 | ||
| 230230 | ||
| 221221 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.79 White is better
Best play: 10... Na6 11. f3 Nc7 12. a4 b6 13. Kh1 h6 14. Bd3 Rb8 15. Nc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line (ECO A77, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O Re8 10. Nd2 (10 moves).
In 51,470 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.0%, Black 43.9% and 5.1% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…a6, in 51% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line
10…Na6 (Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense) scores best for Black: 50.3%, with Black winning 47.6% and White 47.0% of 10K games. The most played answer, 10…a6, scores lowest: 45.0% in 26K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 10…Na6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Variations (1)
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense, Tal Line (A77)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/benoni-defense-classical-variation-czerniak-defense-tal-line