White maintains an initiative. This endgame from the Queen’s Gambit Accepted proves surprisingly uncomfortable for Black. Also without queens White has more than sufficient activity!

By tactical means White preserves the pair of bishops.

17…h6 18.Bh4 Rae8 19.Rae1 Rxe3 20.Rxe3 Nce5 21.Bb3 c6 22.Bg3

A position of devious simplicity. Having examined some lines, you will soon reach the conclusion that Black’s pieces are in fact terribly tied up.

And soon Black had had enough.

With the king as the major target in the battle of the major pieces, here the vulnerable black king should have prompted White to look for the attack.

36.Qe3 was the obvious move, when Black is immediately in big trouble. For example: 36…Rg6 37.g4!.

And although White may be slightly better in this rook ending, a large part of his advantage has vanished now. Eventually, too passive play even granted Krasenkow a lucky victory.

Black is a pawn down, but all her pieces are better placed – she’s the one in the driver’s seat!

24…Bxe5 25.dxe5 Qxe5 26.Qxd5 Qxe2 and Black is perfectly fine, but the position has been simplified.

26.Bf3 looks like a sensible trade, but Black remains clearly better after 26…Rxb2.