David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
O Canada! ‘Sons’ edited out as bill to make anthem gender-neutral moves closer to passage
A bill to make Canada's familiar national anthem less sexist is one step closer to passage. Published February 1, 2018
Jeffery Xiong shines in the shadow of Magnus Carlsen’s brilliance at Tata Steel event
In newspaper terms, the sidebars may have been more compelling than the main story at the 80th running of the powerful Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the chess-obsessed Dutch city of Wijk aan Zee. Despite a game challenge from local star GM Anish Giri, Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen prevailed in a blitz playoff for his record sixth Tata title Sunday. Published January 31, 2018
Russia shrugs as U.S. vows new sanctions — eventually
Treasury Secretary Stephen T. Mnuchin insisted Tuesday that the Trump administration is still weighing sanctions related to Russian election meddling even after the State Department let the deadline pass without imposing any further penalties. Published January 30, 2018
Canada first: U.S. trade panel unexpectedly rejects Boeing trade complaint
A U.S. trade panel has unexpectedly rejected a claim from aerospace giant Boeing Inc. against Montreal-based Bombardier Inc., in one of the most high-profile corporate trade battles to date of the Trump administration. Published January 26, 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in takes hit in polls with North Korea overture
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has taken a significant hit to his popularity in the wake of his diplomatic overture promising warmer ties with North Korea, a new poll shows. Published January 26, 2018
When the player matters more than the pieces on the chessboard
The Wise Old Master was shown a particularly complex middle-game position, and his students inquired: Who stands better, White or Black? Published January 23, 2018
A Hail Mary leads to answered prayers at the chessboard
A "Hail Mary," as ecstatic Minnesota Vikings fans could tell you this week, is one of those last-second, throw-it-and-hope football plays that miraculously works out, where your guy comes down with the ball to score the winning touchdown. There are no wide receivers in chess, but the idea of snatching victory from defeat with a high-risk, long-odds final play is a very familiar one. Published January 16, 2018
Levada Institute, best-known Russian pollster, to stop releasing results
Russia's best-known independent polling shop said Tuesday it will stop publishing the results of its surveys, citing the legal risk after it was officially listed as a "foreign agent" by the government. Published January 16, 2018
Webster University again the definition of excellence in college chess fight
There were 58 teams entered in last month's Pan-American Intercollegiate Championships held in Columbus, Ohio, but the match everyone was waiting for came in Round 5. Published January 9, 2018
U.S. House to take up resolution slamming Iran for protest crackdown
Two top House Republicans have introduced a resolution supporting the Iranian people and condemning the regime in Tehran after a week of street protests that have resulted in more than 20 deaths across the country. Published January 5, 2018
Alexander Shabalov dominates chess field in 44th Eastern Open
It was the "Shabba Show" as GM Alexander Shabalov ran away with the 44th annual Eastern Open, the traditional local year-ending tournament held last week at the Westin Hotel in Tysons Corner. Published January 2, 2018
Spending the holidays with some dear old chess friends
It's Christmas week, so we don't plan any heavy lifting today. No breaking news, no cutting-edge opening theory, just a little quality time with some old, comfortable companions. We start with the clever little six-move mate in today's diagram by Swedish composer V. Ropke. Even the most eggnog-addled problem-hater should have no trouble solving this one. Published December 26, 2017
Despite Trump, Haley threats, U.N. overwhelmingly opposes U.S. Jerusalem move
Brushing aside threats from President Trump and America's U.N. envoy Nikki Haley, the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution effectively condemning Mr. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and calling on Washington to rescind plans to move the U.S. Embassy there. Published December 21, 2017
Have yourself a very merry war on Christmas — over the chessboard
A war on Christmas? Bring it on. D.C.'s traditional Eastern Open, which starts next Tuesday, is just one of a number of popular events traditionally held around this time of year. Published December 19, 2017
A rowdy chess game beyond the ken of our silicon overlords
Two of the strongest players in the history of chess just played an epic 100-game match -- and hardly anyone noticed. Published December 12, 2017
Shivering Chinese cities allowed to turn back to coal
Chinese environmental regulators said this week that northern cities facing a winter freeze and a lack of electricity and natural gas can use coal to keep warm. Published December 8, 2017
U.S. escalates feud with Russia over suspected INF treaty missile violations
The Trump administration is planning new diplomatic, military and economic steps to pressure Russia after concluding earlier this week that Moscow had violated the landmark Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by deploying a new missile that U.S. military officials say is not allowed under the 1987 deal. Published December 8, 2017
London calling — a rich legacy for the 2018 chess championship host city
The 2018 world championship match will return to a city that is no stranger to hosting the game's ultimate event. Published December 5, 2017
London to host Magnus Carlsen’s 2018 world chess championship defense
London will once again host a world chess title match as organizers announced Wednesday that Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen will defend his title against a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the British capital in November 2018. Published November 29, 2017
Chess candidates lineup set; Norway gets another world champ
Without pushing a pawn, Azerbaijan's Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Russian Alexander Grischuk last week booked a berth to the 2018 world championship hunt. Published November 29, 2017
