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Power and weakness of the Isolated Queen Pawn
Compiled by samikd
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The Isolated Queen's Pawn can play a dangerous role in attack, espeically when it advances to disorient the enemy army. Most games in this collection examplify this theme. However, sometimes it can be properly blockaded and eventually captured. The last 2 games illustrate this. 'Understanding Pawn play in chess' by Drazen Marovic has a nice treatment of the subject of IQP. An equally good treatment is available in 'Pawn structure chess' by Andrew Soltis

The most beautiful one, perhaps
Kasparov vs Short, 1986 
(D55) Queen's Gambit Declined, 33 moves, 1-0

The first of the many instances when Karpov lost to the IQP
Smyslov vs Karpov, 1971 
(D41) Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 29 moves, 1-0

The very next year, another veteran to punish Karpov
Portisch vs Karpov, 1972 
(E55) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Gligoric System, Bronstein Variation, 26 moves, 1-0

Now its Kamsky's turn to use the same trick on Karpov
Kamsky vs Karpov, 1994 
(E54) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Gligoric System, 58 moves, 1-0

The saga continues: this time it is Andersson vs Karpov
Andersson vs Karpov, 1995 
(D28) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 18 moves, 1-0

Petrosian carries out a thematic attack
Petrosian vs Balashov, 1974 
(E54) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Gligoric System, 28 moves, 1-0

Here the IQP doesn't advance, but helps in a k-side attack
Keene vs Miles, 1976  
(D42) Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Tarrasch, 7.Bd3, 26 moves, 1-0

Its black to win, for a change
Euwe vs Alekhine, 1937 
(E46) Nimzo-Indian, 43 moves, 0-1

Another Black win: here the IQP becomes passed, and unstoppable
Burn vs Znosko-Borovsky, 1906 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 39 moves, 0-1

A similar game where the IQP becomes passed, and Black wins
P Ostojic vs Vaganian, 1976 
(C09) French, Tarrasch, Open Variation, Main line, 70 moves, 0-1

Here the IQP is properly blockaded, and captured
Lasker vs Tarrasch, 1908 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 44 moves, 1-0

The same story repeated: Lasker punishes Tarrasch again !
Lasker vs Tarrasch, 1918 
(D34) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 56 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Anand, 2002 
(D27) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 37 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Anand, 2001 
(D27) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 39 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Anand, 1999 
(D27) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 70 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2000 
(E53) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, 25 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Korchnoi, 1996
(D26) Queen's Gambit Accepted, 46 moves, 1-0

Kramnik vs Karpov, 1999 
(D27) Queen's Gambit Accepted, Classical, 32 moves, 1-0

18 games

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