Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO A76), reached after 18 half-moves: 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.

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10.Nd2 1 line
- A77 Tal Line

About this opening

Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code A76. ECO group A (A00–A99) covers flank and irregular openings, including the English, Bird, Réti and Dutch defences. This particular variation is reached after 18 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 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.

It belongs to the Benoni Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Czerniak Defense line). The immediate parent line is Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, transitioned via 9…Re8.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.d4 Nf6, 2.c4 c5, 3.d5 e6, 4.Nc3 exd5, 5.cxd5 d6, 6.e4 g6. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.