David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Panda gifted at time of China-Taiwan warming dies in Taipei
Tuan Tuan, a panda given by communist China to democratic Taiwan more than a decade ago as a symbol of improving ties, died Saturday at the Taipei Zoo at the age of 18, officials said. Published November 20, 2022
U.N. watchdog warns Ukraine, Russia ‘playing with fire’ in fresh clashes near giant nuclear plant
The U.N.'s chief nuclear watchdog warned Sunday morning that combatants are "playing with fire" amid new reports of shelling near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by invading Russian troops since March. Published November 20, 2022
Despite scolding, politics finds its way into World Cup kickoff
World soccer's most powerful figure is handing out red cards to anyone who dares to question FIFA's decision to make Qatar the first Middle Eastern nation to hold the quadrennial World Cup. Published November 20, 2022
Former Sen. Chris Dodd tapped as Biden’s special envoy to the Americas
Former Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut will be President Biden's new point man on relations with countries of North and South America, the State Department announced Friday. Published November 18, 2022
Great ride: Kavalek’s chess memoir ‘Life at Play’ tracks a rich, varied career
'May you live in interesting times." The Chinese consider it a curse, but for a memoirist, it's a godsend. Published November 15, 2022
Comeback kid Netanyahu formally tapped to head Israel’s new government
Capping a remarkable political comeback even as he battles personal legal problems, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to reclaim his old job, as President Isaac Herzog Friday said he will invite him to form the country's next government. Published November 11, 2022
Basman, Curdo: Honoring two of the game’s true originals
Chess is a game of just a handful of pieces -- king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn -- but an infinite number of characters. Published November 8, 2022
Israel’s Netanyahu on verge of electoral comeback
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on the verge of a remarkable comeback as exit polls suggested he and his political allies had won enough seats to form a government. Published November 1, 2022
Breathtaking battles: Taking a walk on the lighter side of chess
We "work at" our chess a little too much sometimes, and every so often it's useful (and instructional, I might add) to be reminded of the great struggles and amazing moves that got us hooked on the game in the first place. Published November 1, 2022
Caruana, Yu shine at the chessboard; Niemann fight heads to the courts
They took very different paths to get there, but GM Fabiano Caruana and Northern Virginia's own WGM Jennifer Yu both claimed their second national titles at the U.S. Championship and U.S. Women's Championship tournaments that wrapped up last week at the St. Louis Chess Club. Published October 25, 2022
Expensive gambit: U.S. chess master Hans Moke Niemann sues world champ over cheating charges
U.S. chess grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann, the target of cheating allegations at the highest level of the game, has made a counter-move against his accusers, filing a $100 million-plus lawsuit accusing world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, top U.S. grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura and one of the biggest online chess-playing services of "colluding to blacklist" him from competing. Published October 20, 2022
Foggy day in London as Truss quits, Conservatives ponder grim future
The shortest prime ministership in Britain's history is leaving the ruling Conservative Party and the country facing a long list of questions. Published October 20, 2022
Niemann, rivals keep U.S. championship drama confined to the chessboard
There's been no shortage of gripping drama so far at the U.S. national and U.S. women's chess championships, now entering the final lap this week at the St. Louis Chess Club. Published October 18, 2022
Pakistan fumes over Biden’s ‘most dangerous nation’ comment
Officials in Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador over the weekend to explain why President Biden considers their country "one of the most dangerous in the world." Published October 16, 2022
Five more years: Xi sticks to his guns as party congress opens in Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off a weeklong Communist Party Congress strongly defending his economic and COVID policies, while vowing to stamp out democratic dissent in Hong Kong and pursue the "reunification" of Taiwan. Published October 16, 2022
British PM Truss totters as Conservatives meet this week on possible ouster
British Prime Minister Liz Truss's time at 10 Downing Street may be over before she has time to plan a housewarming party. Published October 16, 2022
Reeling Truss fires finance chief as new British government totters
New British Prime Minister Liz Truss has sacked her top finance minister just weeks into her new government, the latest policy U-turn for the Conservative leader after markets panned her program of deep, unfunded tax cuts and deregulation. Published October 14, 2022
The plot thickens — and sickens — in Niemann chess cheating controversy
The U.S. open and women's annual national championship tournaments are now underway at the St. Louis Chess Club and the Hans Moke Niemann cheating controversy remains, unfortunately, the all-consuming storyline. Published October 11, 2022
Chess in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as cheating controversy smolders
Well, our beloved game is generating front-page headlines, getting coverage on the big network broadcasts and serving as the focus for deep-think pieces from pundits the world over. Yay? Published October 4, 2022
Defiant Putin hails annexation of Ukrainian regions, says West wants Russia as ‘colony’
In a ceremony meant to mark the carving up of parts of Ukraine, Russian President and judo master Vladimir Putin told a Kremlin audience that it was the U.S. and its Western allies who were trying to carve up Russia. Published September 30, 2022
