Given SPR I would check back n try to rep QQ or JJ or bet small. You could easily get stacks in over 2 streets. Not to mention you block his calling range.

Depends on how do you want to play your range on the flop. Personally, I don't split my range on Khi board, so I would bet really small. His most likely range is suited broadway and high pocket pair heavy and he doesn't have hands like 43s, A4s and A3s (you described him as tight) so we are huge equity favourite here. Also, I would check most turns with this combo, except for Q, J, T which gives him backdoor flushdraw. Checking on an ace is fine as I assume that he is more likely to have hands like AQs rather than JTs which means that he can't outdraw us on the river.

Depends on your reads, if hes thinking player he knows you have SDV often when you xback this good cbet texture so it prob does not induce so many moves from him. Id just cbet

isn't there merit to protecting your betting range here?

I like checking back in this spot, but often am betting very small ($55-75ish) without pretty much all my range.