David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Britain gets a princess, but chess has a new queen
Britain, as you may have heard, has a new princess. But chess has a new queen. Published May 22, 2018
Indian minister makes first visit to North Korea in decades
In a sign other countries are rushing into the diplomatic breach opened by the U.S.-North Korea rapprochement, a top Indian diplomat is making the first trip by a senior Indian official to Pyongyang in two decades. Published May 17, 2018
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on track for big congressional majority in Mexico vote
Leftist candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has opened up such a wide lead ahead of July 1's Mexican presidential vote that his coattails could give his party a working congressional majority as well, according to a new polling analysis released this week. Published May 16, 2018
A feisty, fun-filled fight for the women’s world chess title
If you crave feisty, frantic, fun-filled world championship-caliber chess, the women have the men beat by a mile. Published May 15, 2018
Kuwait continues Iran straddle after Trump decision
Kuwait, the one Persian Gulf Arab nation that has tried to maintain relations with Iran, is continuing its diplomatic straddle a day after President Trump announced the U.S. was pulling out of the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran. Published May 9, 2018
Pompeo in second secret trip to North Korea to prepare Trump-Kim summit
New Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is making an unannounced trip to North Korea for more discussions ahead of a planned summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Mr. Trump announced at the White House Tuesday. Published May 8, 2018
Opening statement — a chess struggle in Black and White
Good offense, as a wise man once observed, always beats good defense -- and vice versa. Published May 8, 2018
Russia eyes closer Iran ties, more trade if Trump nixes nuclear deal
A top Russian official said bilateral relations and trade with Iran could actually be enhanced if President Trump follows through on a threat to take the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran next week. Published May 4, 2018
Samuel Shankland surprises, Nazi Paikidze repeats at U.S. chess championships
He's been overshadowed by the U.S. "Big Three" and can hear the footsteps of a rising generation of American grandmasters eager to claim their place in the pecking order. Published May 1, 2018
France argues Israeli evidence bolsters argument for Iran nuclear deal
The French government said Tuesday that its preliminary review of blockbuster new evidence of Iran's nuclear ambitions released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually provides another argument for keeping the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran in place. Published May 1, 2018
Mike Pompeo confirmed as secretary of state
The Senate on Thursday approved former CIA Director Mike Pompeo to be the nation's next secretary of state, overcoming heavy resistance once again from Democrats to a top Trump nominee. Published April 26, 2018
From U.S. title fight, showing the utility of mobility in chess
From Hannibal on down, the great military strategists have appreciated the utility of mobility. It's no less true of chess, a game of war par excellence where the two commanders start out with a perfect equilibrium of forces. Published April 24, 2018
Vladimir Putin signs law banning internet ‘libel’ of public figures
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a hastily passed new law that would give the government the power to shut down websites accused of libeling or publishing defamatory information on public figures. Published April 24, 2018
Rand Paul to support Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State
Senate panel voted to recommend Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, sending nomination to full Senate. Published April 23, 2018
Russian firm markets ‘Novichok’ cooking oil named after nerve gas used on spy
A Russian business is bringing out a new line of "Novichok" cooking oil, in a cheeky reference to the Soviet-era nerve gas blamed for poisoning an ex-Russian spy living in England last month. Published April 20, 2018
Trump said ready to kill Iran nuclear deal
President Trump is poised to pull the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal next month, with only a last-minute flurry of appeals from European leaders offering a chance of a change of course, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker said Wednesday. Published April 18, 2018
Bob Corker won’t campaign against Democrat in Tennessee Senate race
Retiring GOP Sen. Bob Corker had some unusually warm words for the Democrat running for his job in November, saying Wednesday he would not campaign against former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen this fall. Published April 18, 2018
Korean summit may include press conference with Kim Jong-un
He is used to unquestioned authority and only travels outside his country in a hermetically sealed railroad car, but North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may soon face a gauntlet he hasn't run before: a press conference. Published April 17, 2018
John Burke newest American GM
A friend of mine makes it a point to go to as many high school drama productions as he can, in order to brag one day that he once saw Meryl Streep play Emily in "Our Town" or Lin-Manuel Miranda as Curly in "Oklahoma." Catch 'em while they're young and on the rise is his motto. Published April 17, 2018
Turkey’s Erdogan welcomes U.S., allied strike on Syria chemical weapons sites
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has clashed with the Trump administration over its handling of the Syrian civil war, on Saturday praised the allied mission ordered by President Trump to take out key chemical weapons sites in neighboring Syria. Published April 14, 2018
