David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
High drama leads to comedy of errors in women’s chess title hunt
For chess fans, there is a constant tug-of-war between art and combat. There is real beauty in the flawless conceived plan, the brilliant attack, the airtight winning combination. Then again, a "perfectly played game" by both contestants would produce an unending string of draws. Published February 28, 2017
Hans Berliner, the D.C. boy who conquered the (postal) chess world
Before he conquered the world, he ruled the D.C. chess scene. Postal chess great Hans Berliner, who passed away last month in Florida at the age of 87, grew up here and got his start at the fabled Washington Chess Divan. Published February 22, 2017
In Joop van Oosterom and Raymond Smullyan, chess loses two colorful characters
In a game played between White and Black, chess lost a couple of colorful characters in recent days. Published February 14, 2017
Kevin McCarthy has sick Valentine’s Day burn for colleagues
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy threw a couple of his colleagues under the love bus Tuesday when the chamber's GOP leadership met the press Tuesday morning. Published February 14, 2017
Vladimir Putin reportedly eyeing hardliner as next envoy to Donald Trump’s Washington
For all the talk of their budding bromance, Russian President Vladimir Putin is widely reported to be ready to select a well-known military hardliner as his new ambassador to Donald Trump's Washington. Published February 7, 2017
Hou Yifan, reigning chess queen: Brilliance, then bravado at Gibraltar
GM Hikaru Nakamura has won the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival -- one of the world's most prestigious open events -- for a third straight year, but the American star's victory last week was hardly the biggest story of the event. Published February 7, 2017
Wesley So pushes unbeaten streak to 56 with Tata Steel chess win
Make room, Byron Nelson. Coming through, UCLA. Scoot over, Joltin' Joe. The list of great sports streaks may have a new entry if rising American superstar GM Wesley So can keep it up. Published January 31, 2017
Julio Sadorra, Mark Paragua sail to victory in the chess Chesapeake Open
There was some real Filipino flavor atop the leaderboard at the ninth annual Chesapeake Open this month at the Rockville Hilton. Published January 25, 2017
Hillary Clinton gets a pass among the Trump faithful
Their hero's motorcade was just pulling up to the other side of the Capitol, but there was a clear surge of anticipation and electricity among Donald Trump's supporters when rival Hillary Clinton first appeared on the giant television screens. Published January 20, 2017
One supporter already revving up the 2020 Trump re-election campaign
Thomas C. Mendenhall, who says he spotted the Trump phenomenon far earlier than most people, now is trying to get the jump on the new president's re-election campaign. Published January 20, 2017
From the Informant team, a fine new American chess magazine
In the world of chess publishing, we have a 50-year anniversary and news of an ambitious start-up, and both are an occasion for celebration. Published January 18, 2017
Russian foundry mints commemorative ‘In Trump We Trust’ silver coin
Donald Trump's persistent calls for better relations with Russia are already paying off -- literally. Published January 18, 2017
Xi vs. Trump: Chinese leader praises globalization, warns of trade wars at tony Davos summit
The forces of free trade, open markets and globalization have a new champion: Chinese President -- and Communist Party chief -- Xi Jinping. Published January 17, 2017
Webster dominates but UMBC’s Tanguy Ringoir shines at college chess clash
It's as if Alabama's football team found itself in the college Final Four lining up against Alabama, Alabama and some random fourth entrant. Published January 10, 2017
Aleksandr Lenderman outlasts Alex Shabalov for third Eastern chess crown
It was a familiar pair of front-runners entering the home stretch, with past winners GM Aleksandr Lenderman and GM Alex Shabalov pulling away from the field at last week's 42nd annual Eastern Open. In the end, Lenderman collected his third sole first in the event (he was Eastern champ in 2009 and 2010) by drawing his main rival and winning the rest of his games for a 61/2-1/2 winning score. Published January 3, 2017
Rapid reverse as Magnus Carlsen tries to defend another chess title
When last we wrote about Magnus Carlsen, he was sacrificing his queen to clinch his world title defense last month over Russian challenger Sergei Karjakin in New York City. Published December 28, 2016
Wesley So leads Yank brigade to chess dominance in London
The just-concluded Eighth London Chess Classic featured an elite field of players from around the world, but it was the Americans who provided most of the drama and the fireworks. Published December 20, 2016
Greek minister sees progress despite latest debt drama
It was a chain of events which neatly captured the grinding economic crisis that plagues Greece: Just as a light appeared at the end of the tunnel, the train broke down once again. Published December 16, 2016
Fighting seniors lead the way into busy holiday chess season
Happens every year — when the rest of the world is going over the meadow and through the snow for a well-earned holiday rest, the chess world is gearing up for perhaps its busiest season. Published December 13, 2016
!["I don't know, frankly, what Donald Trump wants to do [about Iran], but I do know the people he has selected so far for major positions I've been very pleased to see," said Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican. (Associated Press)](https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/media/image/2016/12/08/JohnMcCain_c0-152-3500-2191_s652x380.jpg?eabe83dd4cb4d31162259b9906370add54c23942)
James Mattis pick emboldens Iran hawks eager to press Tehran on nuclear violations
Hawks critical of the Obama administration's outreach to Iran over the past eight years were in a distinctly upbeat mood as they took over an ornate Senate caucus room Thursday to promote their cause. The incoming Trump administration, many said, understands their case and the threat posed by the regime in Tehran far better than President Obama ever did. Published December 8, 2016
