David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
After opening plunge, Dow posts second straight 500-point-plus loss
The U.S. stock markets experienced their wildest trading day in years Monday, with the Dow Jones index losing nearly 1,100 points -- nearly 6 percent of its total value -- in the minutes after trading began, staged a spirited rally, but turned strongly negative again with an hour left in the session. Published August 24, 2015
As furor grows, U.N. watchdog defends Iran nuclear self-inspections
Amid growing anger on Capitol Hill and in Israel, the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog on Thursday strongly defended the controversial methods that will be used to monitor possible cheating by Iran on the recently signed nuclear deal. Published August 20, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Gata Kamsky dominates the Washington International chess tourney
It was a wire-to-wire wipeout as U.S. GM Gata Kamsky dominated the fourth annual Washington International open tournament in Rockville last week. Published August 19, 2015
With deal in the balance, Iran plans schools to train more nuclear experts
As Congress weighs a deal designed to curb Iran's nuclear programs, a top official in Tehran this week announced plans to construct a string of special schools to train a new generation of nuclear scientists and technologists. Published August 19, 2015
Obama eases oil export ban with big swap deal with Mexico
In the latest move undercutting the longstanding ban on exporting U.S. crude oil, the Obama administration has approved a proposal that would trade American lighter sweet crude for heavier crude supplies from Mexico. Published August 14, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Alexander Shabalov bulldozes chess rivals on way to fifth U.S. Open title
In a dominating performance, GM Alexander Shabalov captured the 116th annual U.S. Open, held this year in Phoenix. Published August 12, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: For summer’s dog days, keeping chess games short and sweet
With the mercury rising and attention spans wilting, we take our traditional midsummer break from rigorous opening analysis or tedious endgame play to focus on some lighter August fare — a collection of miniatures taken from recent tournament play. Published August 6, 2015
Bill would bounce bagels and burritos for borscht in Russian bistros
Reflecting in part a rising sentiment against all things foreign, a Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would require restaurant menus to devote at least half of their offerings to traditional Russian fare. Published July 28, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: A Romantic chess opening gets a modern revival
It was the signature opening of chess's 19th century Romantic Era, but has become a rare visitor to modern tournament chess. Paul Morphy used it for some of his greatest wins, Bobby Fischer claimed to have refuted it, and even today, some key lines remain a subject of intense theoretical dispute. Published July 28, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Chandra, Eswaran take the honors at U.S. junior chess events
The future of American chess was on display as the country recently crowned its male and female junior champions, with rising Indian-American stars taking the honors in both events. Published July 21, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Alex Lenderman represents U.S. in capturing World Open chess honors
It was a highly appropriate Fourth of July weekend result. Just one U.S. player was among the eight grandmasters who tied for first in the 43rd World Open, held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City from June 30 through July 5, but it was the American — New York GM Alex Lenderman — who took the official title and a small cash bonus by winning an "Armageddon" playoff match against Azerbaijani GM Rauf Mamedov. Published July 14, 2015
Iran caviar and pistachios could be on the way
Whatever else the Iranian nuclear deal does or doesn't do, America's caviar lovers and pistachio fans have reason to celebrate. Published July 14, 2015
‘Glitch’ shuts mighty New York Stock Exchange for much of trading day
The New York Stock Exchange had to shut down trading abruptly shortly before noon Wednesday over what officials said was a technical malfunction that froze computers on the market's fabled trading floor. U.S. officials said they saw no signs of a cyberattack, and the market was able to reopen for the last 50 minutes of the trading day. Published July 8, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Maghami doubles up as D.C. International, World Open chess tourneys come to town
Crystal City just had a golden moment as two of the best open tournaments on the American chess calendar took over the close-in Virginia suburb for the past two-plus weeks. Published July 7, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Walter Browne’s genius lives on in great chess games
Suddenly and far too soon, America lost one of its colorful and most combative champions with the passing of six-time national champion GM Walter Browne last week at the age of 66. Published July 1, 2015
China celebrates Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank charter signing with U.S. allies
The United States won't be there, but dozens of Washington's closest friends and allies will be on hand Monday as China celebrates a diplomatic and economic triumph with the signing of the formal charter for its proposed new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Published June 28, 2015
Walter Browne, six-time U.S chess champ, dies suddenly at 66
Walter Browne, a fearless attacker and indomitable competitor who dominated the American chess scene in the years after world champion Bobby Fischer retired from the game, died suddenly in his sleep Wednesday at the age of 66. Published June 25, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: In the 64-square chess universe, home-field advantage hard to find
It's a game played on an unchanging battlefield of 64 squares with a fixed array of forces, so it would make sense that there's not much of a home-field advantage in chess. Published June 23, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: When real-world wars intrude on chess battles
Chess is a war game that doesn't do well in wartime. Published June 16, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: The double-edged immortality of your own chess opening
When world champion Magnus Carlsen sits down to defend his crown early next year, it's a near certainty he won't be trotting the "Carlsen Opening," or even the "Carlsen Variation" against his still-to-be-determined challenger. Published June 10, 2015
