David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Alexei Navalny, the fiercest foe of Russia’s Putin, has died, Russian authorities say
Russia's official press has confirmed that Alexei Navalny, the country's best-known dissident and a caustic critic of President Vladimir Putin, had died while serving a sentence at a Siberian penal colony. Published February 16, 2024
Russia dismisses ‘unfounded’ Hill speculation over space threat
The Russia "space threat" that has consumed Congress and the Biden White House over the past two days is just a clever ploy to get more money for the Pentagon, the Kremlin's top spokesman told reporters Thursday. Published February 15, 2024
A chess bicentennial: Remembering when the Londoners got Scotched
We're big on anniversaries here as a good excuse for a column, but this is the first bicentennial we've had the opportunity to celebrate. Exactly 200 years ago, the Edinburgh Chess Club, formed two years earlier, cheekily challenged the far more established London Chess Club to a correspondence match, with moves transported between the cities by horse and carriage. Published February 13, 2024
An expansive Walesa reflects on Ukraine, traffic laws and the new world order
Lech Walesa turned 80 a few months ago and has a few things to get off his chest. Published February 11, 2024
Putin: Ukrainian coup put country on collision course with Russia years before invasion
A Ukrainian "coup" in 2015 that ousted the country's pro-Moscow president put Russian and Ukraine on the path to war, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a much-touted interview with conservative pundit Tucker Carlson released Thursday. Published February 8, 2024
In Israel, making time for chess in a time of troubles
Chess can be a finicky, demanding pastime, but the game has also proven surprisingly hardy in tough times. Published February 6, 2024
Russia joins Iran allies in condemning U.S. airstrikes, warns of escalation
The government of Russian President Vladimir Putin joined with a collection of Iran-allied forces across the Middle East Saturday in denouncing President Biden's decision to target anti-U.S. militia groups in Iraq and Syria with a string of airstrikes. Published February 3, 2024
Iraqi military protests U.S. retaliatory strikes targeting militias
Iraq's military sharply criticized the barrage of U.S. airstrikes in Iraq and Syria Friday as a violation of the country's sovereignty, putting further strains on the relationship between Baghdad and Washington. Published February 2, 2024
Wei emerges as winner after wild finish at Tata premier chess event
They were racing four-wide around the final turn, and no one was taking his foot off the gas. A chess tournament does not usually draw comparisons to NASCAR, but the wild finish at the just-completed Tata Steel Masters Tournament in the Dutch seaside town of Wijk aan Zee made for one of the most memorable outings in the event's storied 85-year history, featuring a satisfyingly high number of decisive games and an unexpected champion. Published January 30, 2024
Ladies Day at Tata tournament as Ju, Roebers score big upsets at the chessboard
It was a banner round for the ladies last week at the first big chess tournament of the new year. Published January 24, 2024
U.S. troops in Iraq receive treatment after militia shelling as region’s tensions mount
American personnel in Iraq suffered minor injuries and an Iraqi security officer was wounded in the Iraqi militias' latest attack on the Ain al-Asad air base, according to reports. Published January 21, 2024
Putin plans for North Korea visit in latest sign of warming ties
North Korea said Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to make a visit to Pyongyang "at an early date." Published January 21, 2024
North Korea says it tested underwater nuclear-capable drone in response to rivals’ naval drills
North Korea said it carried out the latest test of its shadowy unmanned, underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, thought to be based on a Russian design, a few days after U.S., South Korean and Japanese naval forces conducted drills. Published January 19, 2024
Russia’s U.S. expats to be able to vote in March presidential election
Russians living in the United States will be able to cast their ballots for another term for President Vladimir Putin in March without having to go home. Published January 17, 2024
No rust on Ding as chess champ returns to the board at Tata Steel Masters
It was more bang than whimper as world champion Ding Liren returned to the chessboard after an absence of more than eight months. Published January 16, 2024
Point taken: Firouzja’s year-end blitz snags last chess title tourney slot
Like that butterfly wingflap that spawns a hurricane in Florida, an otherwise unremarkable year-end Swiss tournament in northern France may just help decide the next chess world champion. Published January 9, 2024
Iraq fumes as U.S. drone strike takes out Iran-linked militia leader in Baghdad
A U.S. military airstrike has killed a top Iraqi Shiite militia leader who the Pentagon says helped orchestrate recent attacks on American forces stationed in the country, bringing an angry protest from the Iraqi government. Published January 4, 2024
Ringing in the new year with some nice chess wins from the old
It's always nice to start a new chess year with a rush of momentum from the one just past, so we focus this week on some of the big winners from December, traditionally a very crowded time on the global chess calendar. Published January 2, 2024
U.S. destroyer kills Houthi raiders as Red Sea shipping clashes escalate
U.S. Navy vessels dispatched to protect international shipping sank three small boats, killing the occupants, and downed two anti-ship missiles fired by Iran-allied Houthis forces in Yemen in the Red Sea, the U.S. Central Command announced Sunday. Published December 31, 2023
Champion Lasker was a Christmas season gift to the chess world
It technically came a day early, but the chess world was given a wonderful Christmas present 150 years ago on Dec. 24, 1868, with the birth of Emanuel Lasker in the German (now Polish) town of Berlinchen. Published December 26, 2023
