David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
H.E. Bird displayed a healthy appetite for chess brilliance
'I never beat a healthy man." That wry old observation, attributed to the great British 19th-century master H.E. Bird, came to mind recently on the news that Chinese GM Ding Liren fractured his hip in a bicycle accident and had to withdraw midway through the strong Altibox Norway Chess tournament last month. Published June 26, 2018
A splendid little skirmish from NATO’s chess championship
As the generals say, there's a lot to be learned from a little war. Take, for example, today's first game from the recent 29th NATO Chess Championship, held in Lubbock, Texas. Published June 19, 2018
Sam Shankland snares third chess title in a row
As it seems we have been reporting for the past two months, red-hot American GM Sam Shankland has won another tournament with yet one more undefeated, dominating performance. Published June 12, 2018
For Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, familiarity breeds respect
Time was when chess world championship matches included a lengthy getting-to-know-you phase. Published June 5, 2018
George Soros, Budapest-born financier, shined in spotlight with ‘Stop Soros Bill’
George Soros has become so prominent in the Hungarian domestic political debate that the crackdown on illegal immigration pushed by nationalist prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party in parliament this week is widely being described as the "Stop Soros Bill." Published May 31, 2018
Hungary a ‘natural ally’ of Trump as Pompeo, Peter Szijjarto meet
NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW: Hungary has no intention of joining the "U.S.-bashing chorus in Europe," in part because Budapest and Washington now are singing from the same page on issues such as immigration, security and the right of sovereign nations to set their own policies, Hungary's foreign minister said in an interview. Published May 31, 2018
Chess angels aided the wounded during World War II
As we mark Memorial Day this week, let us remember the ways chess has done its part to cheer and console those who go to war. Published May 30, 2018
Moon Jae-in, South Korea president, calls emergency meeting after Donald Trump cancels Kim summit
Apparently blindsided by President Trump's decision to cancel next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened an emergency meeting of his top security officials in Seoul Thursday night to discuss what happens next. Published May 24, 2018
Pompeo: North Korea shut off talks on prepping for Trump-Kim summit
North Korea shut down bilateral contacts to prepare for the proposed summit between President Trump Kim Jong-un several days before Mr. Trump on Thursday abruptly called off the planned June 12 meeting in Singapore, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a congressional hearing. Published May 24, 2018
Britain gets a princess, but chess has a new queen
Britain, as you may have heard, has a new princess. But chess has a new queen. Published May 22, 2018
Indian minister makes first visit to North Korea in decades
In a sign other countries are rushing into the diplomatic breach opened by the U.S.-North Korea rapprochement, a top Indian diplomat is making the first trip by a senior Indian official to Pyongyang in two decades. Published May 17, 2018
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on track for big congressional majority in Mexico vote
Leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has opened up such a wide lead ahead of July 1's Mexican presidential vote that his coattails could give his party a working congressional majority as well, according to a new polling analysis released this week. Published May 16, 2018
A feisty, fun-filled fight for the women’s world chess title
If you crave feisty, frantic, fun-filled world championship-caliber chess, the women have the men beat by a mile. Published May 15, 2018
Kuwait continues Iran straddle after Trump decision
Kuwait, the one Persian Gulf Arab nation that has tried to maintain relations with Iran, is continuing its diplomatic straddle a day after President Trump announced the U.S. was pulling out of the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran. Published May 9, 2018
Pompeo in second secret trip to North Korea to prepare Trump-Kim summit
New Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is making an unannounced trip to North Korea for more discussions ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr. Trump announced at the White House Tuesday. Published May 8, 2018
Opening statement — a chess struggle in Black and White
Good offense, as a wise man once observed, always beats good defense -- and vice versa. Published May 8, 2018
Russia eyes closer Iran ties, more trade if Trump nixes nuclear deal
A top Russian official said bilateral relations and trade with Iran could actually be enhanced if President Trump follows through on a threat to take the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran next week. Published May 4, 2018
Samuel Shankland surprises, Nazi Paikidze repeats at U.S. chess championships
He's been overshadowed by the U.S. "Big Three" and can hear the footsteps of a rising generation of American grandmasters eager to claim their place in the pecking order. Published May 1, 2018
France argues Israeli evidence bolsters argument for Iran nuclear deal
The French government said Tuesday that its preliminary review of blockbuster new evidence of Iran's nuclear ambitions released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually provides another argument for keeping the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran in place. Published May 1, 2018
Mike Pompeo confirmed as secretary of state
The Senate on Thursday approved former CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be the nation's next secretary of state, overcoming heavy resistance once again from Democrats to a top Trump nominee. Published April 26, 2018
