Crushed by GM Irina Krush

Last Saturday I was lucky to have the opportunity to attend a lecture and simultaneous exhibition by GM Irina Krush (2500 FIDE), the defending U.S. Women's Champion, at ChessIQ in Skokie, Il.

GM Krush gave a 4 hour lecture on the Isolated Queen's Pawn (IQP), both what to do with it, and also how to fight against it. Krush is a engaging presenter and was gracious in answering questions from the field of a dozen class-level players in attendance.

Here is my game from the simul.

Lessons Learned:

• Review the main lines of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack.
• Avoid being forced to bring the queen out too early.
• Castle before the center pawns disappear.