David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
A Romantic chess opening that gets few dates these days
The most romantic of chess openings doesn't get many dates these days. Published January 17, 2023
Viennese hits and misses from storied chess tournament 150 years ago
It's a new year, and for a chess columnist that means a whole bunch of anniversaries and milestones to celebrate in 2023. Published January 10, 2023
One head, three crowns: Champ Carlsen adds blitz, rapid chess titles
It's the equivalent of the Grand Slam or Triple Crown of chess, and Magnus Carlsen has just done it for a hard-to-believe third time. Published January 3, 2023
Key Republican steps up warning on China’s TikTok, calls it ‘digital fentanyl’
The Wisconsin lawmaker expected to be the new House Republican point man on China voiced fresh concerns Sunday about TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media site that has become wildly popular with America's youth but which many see as a major security danger. Published January 1, 2023
Bolsonaro bolts from Brazil ahead of rival’s inauguration
Outgoing conservative populist President Jair Bolsonaro has abruptly flown out of Brazil, just two days before his rival and leftist successor, President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was set to take office. Published December 30, 2022
For the holidays, chess stars rise in the East
It is that time of year again when we start looking for that star out of the East. Right now, we have a whole constellation full of them. Published December 27, 2022
Putin recruits military bloggers to sell mobilization drive toward criticized war effort
While supporting Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, many of the bloggers have emerged as among the harshest domestic critics of the Kremlin's prosecution of the war. Published December 21, 2022
Zelenskyy eyeing trip to Washington as Pentagon plays down Belarus threat
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to Washington perhaps as soon as Wednesday for talks with Biden administration officials and an address to Congress on the state of the 10-month war with Russia, according to multiple news reports. Published December 20, 2022
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy reportedly headed to Washington for meetings, congressional address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is traveling to Washington perhaps as soon as Wednesday for talks with Biden administration officials and an address to Congress on the state of the 10-month war with Russia, according to multiple news reports. Published December 20, 2022
D.C.-area scholastic chess tournament smashes attendance records
The DMV represented, and the future of American chess is blindingly bright. That's two easy conclusions in the wake of the U.S. Chess Federation's record-shattering 2022 National K-12 Grade Championships, held Dec. 9-11 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Published December 20, 2022
Bipartisan push to clip TikTok gains momentum in Washington
In Washington, the move to curb U.S. operations of the Chinese-controlled social media site is gaining new adherents every day, with both conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats expressing concern the popular platform represents a major security risk. Published December 18, 2022
Vatican defrocks leading U.S. pro-life priest Frank Pavone for ‘blasphemous communications’
Frank Pavone, a leading U.S. Catholic voice against abortion and founder of the group Priests for Life, has been defrocked on direct orders from the Vatican for disobeying his superiors and "blasphemous" comments on social media. Published December 18, 2022
Putin’s war is a disaster, but peace talks not in the offing, says CIA chief William Burns
Russian President Vladimir Putin is digging in and not looking for a cease-fire deal with Ukraine despite many battlefield reverses, CIA Director William Burns said in an interview over the weekend. Published December 18, 2022
Dealing with imperfection at the chessboard
Chess is not a game of perfect. If every move were impeccable, every game would end in a draw. Very often, it's what the player does after he screws up that determines the outcome. Published December 13, 2022
No questions, please: Putin nixes traditional year-end press conference
The Kremlin said Monday that President Vladimir Putin would not hold his traditional late December marathon press briefing. Published December 12, 2022
Kremlin: Zelenskyy pick as Time’s ‘Person of the Year’ is Russophobic
The Kremlin has a bone to pick with the editors of Time magazine, contending Thursday that the choice of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as their 2022 "Person of the Year" was an exercise in Russophobia. Published December 8, 2022
Young or old, chess is a game for the ages
You're only as old as you play. The prime playing years for chess players are said to be one's 20s and 30s, but one great thing about our game is that it can be enjoyed and played skillfully by anyone at any age who can push a pawn, punch a clock and record the moves. Published December 6, 2022
Putin: Ukraine’s ‘aggression’ led to infrastructure attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a new justification Friday for a campaign of bombing strikes on Ukrainian power lines and other civilian infrastructure that threatens to leave the country without power or heat as the winter comes on: Ukraine started it. Published December 2, 2022
A rich history of 125 years of holiday chess at Hastings
The annual Christmas holiday tournament held in the Sussex town of Hastings, England, may have peaked a little early, but it's still been a reliable producer of top-flight chess in the 125 years since its unforgettable opening act. Published November 29, 2022
Analyze this: Chess rational and irrational
For many of us, chess over the board can be a dizzying roller coaster of fates, with the advantage often swinging wildly between the players like a badminton shuttlecock as the mistakes and misjudgments pile up. Published November 22, 2022
