David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
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
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
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
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
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
Playing politics — some of us would rather be playing chess
Most serious players I know would just as soon keep something as important as chess and something as trivial as politics as far apart as possible. Published February 4, 2020
Ju Wenjun retains crown, Fabiano Caruana laps field in momentous chess week
It was a momentous week in which one world champion (barely) retained her title and one world championship hopeful made a (bold) statement that he's ready for another run for the crown. Published January 29, 2020
A ‘Whatever’ moment fuels Ju Wenjun’s comeback in women’s chess title fight
It may not rate with "Once more unto the breach, dear friends" or "At my signal, unleash hell!" but "Whatever" may just be the rallying cry that saves a world chess championship. Published January 21, 2020
Players split the home-field edge in women’s chess title fight
It employs the same 64 squares and 32 pieces everywhere it is played, so you might think there can be no home court advantage in chess. Published January 15, 2020
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
Old Dominion domination at year-end Eastern Open chess tournament
The usual contingent of invading grandmasters and IMs didn't make the trip this time, allowing some local talent to rise to the top at last week's 46th annual Eastern Open, played at the Westin Hotel in Tysons Corner. Published January 7, 2020
Trump sparked Iran crisis with sanctions, renouncing nuclear deal
The tangled roots of U.S.-Iranian relations reach back decades but the timeline vastly accelerated after President Trump renounced the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed a string of harsh economic sanctions. Published January 6, 2020
Chinese state newspaper raises doubts about U.S. ‘Phase One’ trade deal
An influential state-controlled newspaper said Monday that China should not rush to sign a much-touted Phase One trade deal with the Trump administration, hinting that some key details in the agreement have yet to be nailed down. Published January 6, 2020
Soleimani strike puts U.S. mission in Iraq in jeopardy
The U.S. strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a leading Iraqi Shiite militia leader has been condemned by officials across the Iraqi political spectrum and could put the future of some 5,000 U.S. troop stationed in Iraq in doubt. Published January 3, 2020
Chess: The player of the decade, the combination of the year
He was unquestionably the player of the decade, so it makes sense that world champ Magnus Carlsen finished up 2019 with two more major titles for his bulging trophy room. Published December 31, 2019
Big names off the board as 2020 chess title cycle takes shape
It was an early Christmas present for the plummily-named Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (henceforth "Nepo") and a lump of coal for some of the biggest names in the game. Published December 24, 2019
Honoring a column and a legacy of African American chess excellence in D.C.
We start with a big personal thank you to D.C.'s venerable Black Knights Chess Team, which earlier this month awarded this column and this columnist a "lifetime achievement award" at its third annual closed championship, citing our coverage over the past quarter-century of the local chess scene and of Washington, D.C., as the nation's primary incubator of black chess excellence. Published December 17, 2019
Ding Liren makes a noise with big win in London chess event
Confirming his status as one of the hottest players in the world right now, Chinese super-GM Ding Liren has captured the four-player FIDE Grand Chess Tour tournament in London, besting a field that included Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen and French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Published December 10, 2019
Legendary Nona Gaprindashvili adds to bulging chess trophy case
A storied career just added another chapter as GM Nona Gaprindashvili, the women's world champion from 1961 to 1978 and a five-time Soviet women's champion, captured last month's World Women's 65+ Senior Championship tournament in Bucharest, Romania, for the second year in a row at the ripe young age of 78. Published December 3, 2019
With knockout, Alexander Grischuk eyes slot in 2020 chess world title hunt
Veteran Russian GM Alexander Grischuk has put himself in a prime position for another run at the world championship, capturing the 16-player FIDE Grand Prix knockout tournament in Hamburg, Germany, and all but clinching a slot in March's Candidates tournament for the right to challenge Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen. Published November 26, 2019
