David R. Sands

Raised in Northern Virginia, David R. Sands received an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He worked as a reporter for several Washington-area business publications before joining The Washington Times.

At The Times, Mr. Sands has covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He is currently the deputy editor for politics. In addition, he has reviewed books and written feature stories for the newspaper and authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993. He is also senior writer for Washington GolfStyles, a monthly publication covering the Mid-Atlantic golf scene.

Articles by David R. Sands

D.C.-area scholastic chess tournament smashes attendance records

The DMV represented, and the future of American chess is blindingly bright. That's two easy conclusions in the wake of the U.S. Chess Federation's record-shattering 2022 National K-12 Grade Championships, held Dec. 9-11 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Published December 20, 2022

Bipartisan push to clip TikTok gains momentum in Washington

In Washington, the move to curb U.S. operations of the Chinese-controlled social media site is gaining new adherents every day, with both conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats expressing concern the popular platform represents a major security risk. Published December 18, 2022

Vatican defrocks leading U.S. pro-life priest Frank Pavone for ‘blasphemous communications’

Frank Pavone, a leading U.S. Catholic voice against abortion and founder of the group Priests for Life, has been defrocked on direct orders from the Vatican for disobeying his superiors and "blasphemous" comments on social media. Published December 18, 2022

Putin’s war is a disaster, but peace talks not in the offing, says CIA chief William Burns

Russian President Vladimir Putin is digging in and not looking for a cease-fire deal with Ukraine despite many battlefield reverses, CIA Director William Burns said in an interview over the weekend. Published December 18, 2022

Dealing with imperfection at the chessboard

Chess is not a game of perfect. If every move were impeccable, every game would end in a draw. Very often, it's what the player does after he screws up that determines the outcome. Published December 13, 2022

No questions, please: Putin nixes traditional year-end press conference

The Kremlin said Monday that President Vladimir Putin would not hold his traditional late December marathon press briefing. Published December 12, 2022

Kremlin: Zelenskyy pick as Time’s ‘Person of the Year’ is Russophobic

The Kremlin has a bone to pick with the editors of Time magazine, contending Thursday that the choice of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as their 2022 "Person of the Year" was an exercise in Russophobia. Published December 8, 2022

Young or old, chess is a game for the ages

You're only as old as you play. The prime playing years for chess players are said to be one's 20s and 30s, but one great thing about our game is that it can be enjoyed and played skillfully by anyone at any age who can push a pawn, punch a clock and record the moves. Published December 6, 2022

Putin: Ukraine’s ‘aggression’ led to infrastructure attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a new justification Friday for a campaign of bombing strikes on Ukrainian power lines and other civilian infrastructure that threatens to leave the country without power or heat as the winter comes on: Ukraine started it. Published December 2, 2022

A rich history of 125 years of holiday chess at Hastings

The annual Christmas holiday tournament held in the Sussex town of Hastings, England, may have peaked a little early, but it's still been a reliable producer of top-flight chess in the 125 years since its unforgettable opening act. Published November 29, 2022

Analyze this: Chess rational and irrational

For many of us, chess over the board can be a dizzying roller coaster of fates, with the advantage often swinging wildly between the players like a badminton shuttlecock as the mistakes and misjudgments pile up. Published November 22, 2022

Panda gifted at time of China-Taiwan warming dies in Taipei

Tuan Tuan, a panda given by communist China to democratic Taiwan more than a decade ago as a symbol of improving ties, died Saturday at the Taipei Zoo at the age of 18, officials said. Published November 20, 2022

U.N. watchdog warns Ukraine, Russia ‘playing with fire’ in fresh clashes near giant nuclear plant

The U.N.'s chief nuclear watchdog warned Sunday morning that combatants are "playing with fire" amid new reports of shelling near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by invading Russian troops since March. Published November 20, 2022

Despite scolding, politics finds its way into World Cup kickoff

World soccer's most powerful figure is handing out red cards to anyone who dares to question FIFA's decision to make Qatar the first Middle Eastern nation to hold the quadrennial World Cup. Published November 20, 2022

Former Sen. Chris Dodd tapped as Biden’s special envoy to the Americas

Former Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut will be President Biden's new point man on relations with countries of North and South America, the State Department announced Friday. Published November 18, 2022

Great ride: Kavalek’s chess memoir ‘Life at Play’ tracks a rich, varied career

'May you live in interesting times." The Chinese consider it a curse, but for a memoirist, it's a godsend. Published November 15, 2022

Comeback kid Netanyahu formally tapped to head Israel’s new government

Capping a remarkable political comeback even as he battles personal legal problems, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to reclaim his old job, as President Isaac Herzog Friday said he will invite him to form the country's next government. Published November 11, 2022