David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
SANDS: At the chessboard, expect sparks if lovers mate
Some wag once observed that no one ever joined the chess team in high school to meet girls, but for this, our Valentine's Day column, we'd like at least to try to make the case that chess and romance can prove a potent pair. Published February 14, 2012
SANDS: A poisoned pawn that hasn’t lost its kick
Next time you're dining in Gibraltar, think twice before ordering the pawns. Two sharp games showcasing the notorious Sicilian Poisoned Pawn Variation top the menu today, served up at the just-concluded Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival, held on the British island at the entrance to the Mediterranean. Published February 7, 2012
SANDS: Low-key Aronian soars high in Wijk aan Zee chess tournament
Armenian GM Levon Aronian has added another chapter to a career that has been both illustrious and somewhat under the radar, capturing the 74th Tata Steel Grandmaster "A" Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, Sunday by a full point over Norway's Magnus Carlsen and Azerbaijan's Teimour Radjabov. Despite a loss to Carlsen during the Category 21 event, Aronian won going away, notching a quick last-round draw to finish at a very impressive 9-4. Published January 31, 2012
SANDS: Drama in Dutch chess bout is from the undercards
Having spent the bulk of my competitive playing career somewhere in the middle of the wall chart, I am firmly convinced that some of the highest drama at a chess tournament can be found on some of the lowest boards. Published January 24, 2012
SANDS: Some are still ready to risk a fabled gambit
The most romantic of chess openings doesn't get many dates these days. A favorite of 19th-century masters, including Paul Morphy and Johannes Zukertort, and a powerful — if occasional — weapon in the arsenal of gunslingers such as David Bronstein and Boris Spassky, the King's Gambit is a rarity on the modern tournament circuit. Published January 17, 2012
SANDS: Giri, in a wild chess finish, wins Reggio Emilia
Was it the field or the format? This year's Reggio Emilia Tournament, the 54th edition of the event held in the small northern Italian city at the start of the new year, proved to be one of the most entertaining events in recent memory, with a large number of decisive games, an epic collapse by American GM Hikaru Nakamura and a stunning come-from-behind victory for 17-year-old Dutch star Anish Giri, who won the first of what likely will be many elite tournament trophies in the coming year. Published January 10, 2012
SANDS: Kaidanov’s chess homework pays at Eastern Open
Kentucky GM Gregory Kaidanov is perhaps better known today as a chess teacher than a competitor. But he gave his students an object lesson on the value of doing one's homework while winning the 39th annual Eastern Open, held last week at its traditional home at the Westin Washington hotel downtown. Published January 3, 2012
SANDS: Shooting the chess rapids for the holiday season
The holidays are traditionally a season of hustle and bustle, so what better time is there for holding a major rapid championship? Published December 27, 2011
SANDS: Top chess players on tap as Eastern starts Dec. 27
It's the most wonderful time of the year, time for that special event that lifts us out of the winter doldrums. Yes, the 38th annual Eastern Open kicks off Dec. 27, a four-section, seven-round Swiss event that regularly attracts one of the largest and strongest fields for a regional event. Published December 13, 2011
Nebraska electoral-vote rule unique
For states considering divvying up their electoral votes in presidential elections for partisan advantage, Rep. Lee Terry, Nebraska Republican, has a little advice: Be careful what you wish for. Published December 6, 2011
SANDS: Tweeters all thumbs in friendly world chess match
They're allowed 140 characters, but Team Twitter lasted only 22 moves. As part of the opening ceremonies for the London Chess Classic last week, the nine English and international grandmasters in the field took on the world in a friendly game via Twitter, with fans around the world tweeting in their preferred moves. Published December 6, 2011
SANDS: Chess, politics clash as Iran forfeits to Israel
The most interesting game of the past month may have been one that was never played. Published November 8, 2011
SANDS: SPICE in Texas gets U.S. out of chess backwater
We can claim the Super Bowl, the World Series and three of golf's four "majors," and we have played host to eight Olympics. But when it comes to staging big-time chess events, the U.S. is something of a backwater. So for patriotic reasons if nothing else, it's nice to report on the fifth annual SPICE Cup, staged last month in Lubbock, Texas, by Texas Tech University and the Susan Polgar Foundation. Published November 1, 2011
SANDS: Enkhbat, Chiang soar in Continental tourney
The Continental Class Championships, which wrapped up last week in Arlington, featured a couple of players punching well above their weight. Published October 18, 2011
SANDS: Enkhbat surge surprises at class championships
Texas GM Alejandro Ramirez and surprising Maryland IM Tegshsuren Enkhbat shared the lead entering the final turn in the Continental Class Championships, held over Columbus Day weekend in Arlington. The nine-round event, one of the strongest on the area's chess calendar, concluded too late Monday night for the results to be included in this column. Published October 11, 2011
SANDS: Exhibition with Ashley to aid school program
Maurice Ashley, the first black American grandmaster and a well-known commentator on ESPN and a host of national news programs, will conduct a 30-board simultaneous exhibition at the U.S. Chess Center downtown on Oct. 11. Published October 4, 2011
SANDS: Reaching for peace through a game of war
Because the object of the game is to destroy your opponent's army and kill his king, it's always been a little bit odd that chess matches long have been organized to improve understanding and promote fellow feeling between rival schools, cities and nations. Published September 27, 2011
Hasner tops Times poll as choice to face Nelson in 2012
Former Florida Republican state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner has narrowly won a poll of state conservatives meeting in Orlando, giving his campaign fresh momentum in the tight contest for the right to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson next year. Published September 23, 2011
SANDS: Svidler KOs Grischuk, wins World Cup crown
In what likely will prove a crowd-pleasing triumph, Russian GM Peter Svidler edged compatriot GM Alexander Grischuk 2 1/2-1 1/2 to win the FIDE World Cup knockout tournament Monday in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Published September 20, 2011
SANDS: ‘Deflection sacrifice’: Old theme, new use
The concept of the "deflection sacrifice" is relatively easy to grasp: If a piece or a pawn is carrying out a key defensive chore, whether it's preventing mate or blocking a key pawn advance, it often is worthwhile sacrificing material to draw (or deflect) the defender from his post. Published September 13, 2011
