David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Rishi Sunak tops latest poll, Kemi Badenoch out in race to succeed Britain’s Boris Johnson
Britain's Conservative Party base skews White and male, but its choice to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson is guaranteed to be anything but. Published July 19, 2022
Attacking wizard Shabalov plays defense on way to U.S. senior chess title
Pittsburgh GM Alexander Shabalov has been a frequent "contributor" to this column over the years, mostly because of the many games demonstrating his brilliant attacking skills. Published July 19, 2022
Some old favorites shine on the summer chess calendar
It's a busy period for chess -- the Candidates Tournament has just concluded, the U.S. senior, junior and junior girls' championships are all underway in St. Louis, and the 44th Olympiad is set to start in Chennai, India, in just over two weeks. Published July 12, 2022
Japan says elections will go on despite the assassination of Shinzo Abe
Japan will proceed with scheduled elections Sunday for the parliament's upper house despite the stunning assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, government officials said. Published July 8, 2022
No clarity, but no shortage of candidates ready to replace Johnson
It might be easier -- and quicker -- to list who is not considering a run to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and thus the 56th and next prime minister of Great Britain. Published July 7, 2022
‘Them’s the breaks’ — Johnson stepping down as Britain’s leader
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned Thursday, brought down by a steady stream of personal and policy scandals just three years after leading his Conservative Party to its biggest parliamentary majority in more than three decades. Published July 7, 2022
Nepomniachtchi wins second chess title shot as champ Carlsen wavers
He's not quite the Rodney Dangerfield of top-level chess, but GM Ian Nepomniachtchi was not getting a whole lot of respect ahead of the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Madrid, despite having won the same event just over a year ago. Published July 5, 2022
South Korea’s Yoon denies anti-China push in new NATO ties
Reflecting the fine line China's Asian neighbors must walk, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said his precedent-setting trip to the just-concluded NATO summit should not be seen as a shot across Beijing's bow. Published July 3, 2022
China lashes out against ‘Asian version of NATO’
The decision by NATO leaders for the first time to highlight the global security threat posed by China has triggered outrage in Beijing, where the Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday accused the Western military alliance of pushing a narrative that "distorts the truth" and "promotes confrontation" between the West and China. Published June 30, 2022
China rejects NATO criticism in new strategic blueprint
NATO is turning its attention to China, and Beijing is not happy about it. Published June 30, 2022
A timely tribute to the glories of Ukrainian chess
If his loss to world champion Magnus Carlsen in their lopsided title match last year is having any hangover effects, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi is hiding them well. Published June 28, 2022
United Nations rights chief Bachelet slams Supreme Court abortion decision
The top United Nations human rights official denounced the Supreme Court's decision Friday to overturn the national right to abortion as "a huge blow to women's human rights and gender equality." Published June 24, 2022
Early takedowns as candidates battle for world chess title shot
The plot got thick quick as the FIDE Candidates Tournament kicked off last week in Madrid, with two Americans among the eight elite grandmasters competing for the right to take on world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway later this year for the game's ultimate prize. Published June 21, 2022
Tehran still wants nuclear deal despite faltering negotiations
Iran's top diplomat said Tuesday that Tehran still hopes to revive the 2015 nuclear deal despite stalled talks with the U.S. and other world powers that have led many to conclude the accord is dead. Published June 14, 2022
Coaching him up: Kasparov chess mentor Nikitin left a lasting legacy
It's graduation season and a fitting time to celebrate the teachers. Alexander Nikitin, who died June 5 in Moscow at the age of 87, was a promising Soviet junior player and a respectably strong IM in a country that turned out respectably strong IMs by the hundreds. Published June 14, 2022
Russia claims progress with brutal tactics on smaller battlefield
Russian military leaders are finally able to declare a measure of success in their troubled invasion of neighboring Ukraine, as a brutal but concentrated assault in the south and east has steadily advanced in recent days in the long-disputed Donbas region. Published June 7, 2022
Flipping the burger: Russian-rebranded McDonald’s outlets to open next week
There's one business line that has been booming in Russia since Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine led hundreds of foreign corporations to pull out: re-branding. Published June 7, 2022
Prey bite back at predators in upset-filled Cherry Blossom Classic
The Darwinian logic of your typical weekend Swiss tournament dictates that the big sharks -- usually with "GM" or "IM" before their name on the wall chart -- prey on the smaller fry in the early going and then square off against one another for the big prizes in the money rounds. Published June 7, 2022
Boris Johnson turns back leadership challenge after ‘Partygate’ mess
Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly turned back an internal Conservative party revolt on Monday, ensuring the colorful British leader will stay in his post for at least another year. Published June 6, 2022
Johnson favored to survive Conservative Party revolt and keep job
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face a fight for his job earlier than expected Monday after rebels in his ruling Conservative Party secured enough support for an immediate no-confidence vote. Published June 6, 2022
