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David R. Sands

David R. Sands

David R. Sands covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He has authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993.

Articles by David R. Sands

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, and Afghanistan's National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, arrives at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, March 23, 2020. Pompeo was in Kabul on an urgent visit Monday to try to move forward a U.S. peace deal signed last month with the Taliban, a trip that comes despite the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when world leaders and statesmen are curtailing official travel. (Afghan Presidential Palace via AP)

Mike Pompeo intervention fails to end Afghanistan feud

U.S. announced it was slashing aid to the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan as a feud between its leaders threatens to undermine a delicate peace deal inked last month between the Trump administration and Taliban. Published March 23, 2020

Syrians block Turkish military convoy in Neyrab, Sunday, March 15, 2020 as they protest agreement on joint Turkish and Russian patrols in northwest Syria. Patrols on the M4 highway, which runs east-west through Idlib province, are part of a cease-fire agreed between Turkey and Russia after an escalation in fighting that saw the Turkish military in direct conflict with Syrian government troops.( AP Photo) **FILE**

Turkey denies reports of troop pullback in Syria

Turkish officials on Friday rejected reports that the country was pulling back from its military incursion into northern Syria, even as Ankara insisted it was honoring a recent cease-fire deal brokered with Russia. Published March 20, 2020

Ju-Dzagnidze after 60...Nb6-a4.

A coronavirus-shortened ‘win’ for U.S. senior chess squad

The coronavirus is supposed to be a particular danger for the elderly, but the global pandemic actually provided a little tailwind for the triumphant American squad at the truncated World Senior Team Championship in Prague last week. Published March 17, 2020

Botvinnik-van Scheltinga after 12...Qe7.

Chess’ ultimate wingman steps into the spotlight

It looks no different from its seven peers, it neither covers the flank nor fights for the center, its rarely seen starring turn (1. g4) goes by the ungainly name Grob's Opening. Published February 25, 2020

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani casts his ballot in the parliamentary elections at the interior ministry in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) ** FILE **

Top Iranian mocks new U.S. sanctions on election council

The head of Iran's Guardian Council, the body charged with defending the country's Islamist constitution, on Friday mocked new sanctions imposed this week by the Trump administration on five members of the Council for sharply restricting voters' choices in Friday's national elections. Published February 21, 2020

Ju-Yip after 39. Kh1.

Carissa Yip flips the chess script with big Cairns comeback

A disastrous start led to a triumphal conclusion for FM Carissa Yip at the 2nd Cairns Cup in St. Louis over the weekend, as the young American FM turned in one of the finest minus-one results seen in a tournament in a long time. Published February 18, 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle the day before, inside 10 Downing Street, in London, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tightened his grip on the government Thursday with a Cabinet shake-up that triggered the unexpected resignation of his Treasury chief, the second-most powerful figure in the administration. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)

Boris Johnson puts off U.S. visit to Trump until summer

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has postponed a planned trip to Washington to inaugurate trade talks with President Trump until June -- some six months later than many expected the two to meet. Published February 14, 2020

Muzychuk-Koneru after 23...Bh5.

In the spotlight, women chess stars put on a show at Cairns

The ladies have the spotlight all to themselves this week as women's world champ GM Ju Wenjun of China and nine of the planet's most accomplished female players are battling it out at the second annual Cairns Cup tournament at the St. Louis Chess Club. Published February 11, 2020

Iraqi army soldiers are deployed in front of the U.S. Embassy, in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Iran-backed militiamen have withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad after two days of clashes with American security forces. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) ** FILE **

Iraqi militia calls for lone-wolf strikes against U.S. forces

The Iran-allied Iraqi militia group at the center of a military confrontation with the Trump administration said the "door to jihad" has been opened against U.S. forces in the country and called for supporters to carry out Islamic State-style "lone wolf" attacks against American assets across the region. Published January 10, 2020