Isolated pawns are pawns in chess that have no other pawns of the same color on adjacent files. This means they cannot be supported by other pawns, making them more vulnerable to attack. Isolated pawns can become weaknesses in a player's position, as they may require additional pieces to defend them. However, isolated pawns can also create opportunities. They can control important squares and open lines for pieces like rooks and queens. Players may use isolated pawns to launch attacks or create imbalances in the game, potentially leading to advantages if managed correctly.