David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Two very different games showcase the infinite variety of chess
Sometimes one small mistake can sink your game. And sometimes you can survive a host of oversights and blunders and still take the point. Published July 18, 2023
Lei draws first blood in tightly contested women’s world chess title match
Women's world chess champion GM Ju Wenjun and GM Lei Tingje, her Chinese compatriot and challenger in the 12-game title match now underway in Shanghai, are well matched. Published July 11, 2023
Turkey drops objection to Sweden’s NATO membership on eve of summit
Sweden is on track to become NATO's 32nd and newest member after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unexpectedly dropped his objections Monday on the eve of a summit of the Western military alliance's leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania. Published July 10, 2023
U.S. says drone strike killed Islamic State leader in Syria
An American military airstrike has killed a senior Islamic State official in eastern Syria, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement released Sunday. Published July 9, 2023
A tense France bans sale of Bastille Day fireworks
The French government on Sunday placed a ban on all non-official fireworks displays for the traditional Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, a reflection of the simmering tensions over the protests sparked by the killing of a teenager of North African descent by a police officer on June 27. Published July 9, 2023
Double Dutch: Timman surveys the great Euwe’s chess career
It's hard to think of a better match in chess between author and subject than GM Jan Timman's new anthology, "Max Euwe's Best Games." Published July 4, 2023
Kremlin hints at talks to free jailed U.S. reporter Gershkovich
The Kremlin acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that "contacts" with U.S. officials have begun over jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, imprisoned since March on what the Biden administration says are bogus espionage charges. Published July 4, 2023
Kremlin says ‘contacts’ have been made over jailed U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich
The Kremlin acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that "contacts" with U.S. officials have begun over jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, imprisoned since March on what the Biden administration says are bogus charges of espionage. Published July 4, 2023
Confusion, infighting plague Russian military in mutiny’s wake
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have survived -- for now -- the mutiny launched by onetime ally Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group mercenaries. Published June 29, 2023
An unsettled Russia as Prigozhin finds refuge in Belarus
Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin surfaced in Belarus Tuesday, days after leading the disruptive but aborted armed uprising that rocked the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Published June 27, 2023
Lukashenko confirms Wagner chief is in Belarus, denies building new camp for mercenaries
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday verified that Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had fled to his country, days after his mercenary force staged an abortive revolt in neighboring Russia. Published June 27, 2023
Go team! Global Sports League kicks off inaugural season in Dubai
Having covered multiple Olympiads, college chess Final Fours and U.S. Amateur Team East blowouts over the years, I can personally attest that chess as a team sport is hardly a novel concept. Published June 27, 2023
Uneasy calm, uncertain future as rattled Putin denounces ‘treacherous’ uprising
The only thing that seemed clear is that the fallout from the aborted, semi-coup staged by Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's forces is certain to be felt for months to come. Published June 26, 2023
The last shall be first: Zatonskih scores surprise win in women’s chess tilt
There's still half a year to go, but IM Anna Zatonskih's victory in the 3rd annual Cairns Cup earlier this month looks certain to rank among the most unexpected results of 2023. Published June 20, 2023
There from the start: Fathers, children and chess
They may not have been very strong players themselves, but many can claim credit for teaching the game's greatest stars how to set up the board and the difference between a pin and a fork. Published June 13, 2023
Both sides seek high ground in PR wars as Ukraine offensive kicks off
It didn't take long for the fog of war to settle over Ukraine's long-awaited spring counteroffensive, with both sides claiming to see bright spots in the fighting Sunday. The clash could determine the fate of Russia's 16-month invasion. Published June 11, 2023
Big guns in chess bring the firepower at strong Cherry Blossom Classic
Some of the game's big guns descended on Northern Virginia as a score of grandmasters and titled players battled it out at the 10th Cherry Blossom Classic at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott. Published May 30, 2023
Caruana turns back time — literally — in Superbet chess win
Time can pass awfully slowly when you're watching a chess game at classical time controls, but can it actually move in reverse? Published May 23, 2023
Ding, Nepomniachtchi struggle in first outing after grueling chess title bout
New world champion GM Ding Liren of China and challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia were back in action barely more than a week after their grueling, four-week match last month -- and it showed. Published May 16, 2023
Niemann back at the chessboard as FIDE delays cheating analysis
His $100 million defamation lawsuit is in limbo, but young American GM Hans Moke Niemann is back to battling at the chessboard. Published May 9, 2023
