Alireza's Caro-Kann Panov Masterpiece

The Caro-Kann is one of the strongest defenses against 1.e4 and has gained popularity in the past few years.  The opening has various pawn formations resulting from the different variations. One of the richest variations for learning pawn structures is the Panov-Botvinnik Attack. You can encounter an IQP (Isolated Queen's Pawn), hanging pawns on the c- and d-files, or lasting pawn tension between c4 and d5.

In recent times, Alireza Firouzja has been one of the biggest practitioners of the Caro-Kann at the highest levels. I've been fascinated by how Alireza can take an equal-looking opening and press it into the middle and even endgame to convert the win. In this game against Anish Giri, Alireza does just that.

Watch how Alireza handles the middlegame and endgame in particular.

And here's the PGN if you'd like to follow along at your own pace:

What do you think about the pawn formation in the Panov-Botvinnik? Do you prefer having the IQP or playing against it?