David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
Russia says soccer fans can bring medical marijuana to 2018 World Cup
The grass won't be just on the pitch when soccer's World Cup kicks off in Russia later this year. Published February 28, 2018
Bill Goichberg organizes his way to U.S. Chess Hall of Fame
The 2018 class of inductees into the St. Louis-based World and U.S. Chess Hall of Fame contains some worthy if not particularly unexpected choices. Published February 27, 2018
Failing Chess 101 can be a royal pain for the king
When it comes to chess openings, there are a few basic must-dos that even the rankest beginner understands: Develop the pieces. Control the center. Protect the king. But sometimes, it seems, even the very best players forget -- with predictably dire consequences. Published February 20, 2018
For Mardi Gras, a celebration of Paul Morphy, New Orleans’ finest
It's Mardi Gras, and we're taking a little mental vacation down to the Big Easy to check out the chess scene. Published February 13, 2018
On Gibraltar, Hikaru Nakamura is a Rock star
He may never have trashed a hotel room or shredded his way through a 35-minute guitar solo (as far as we know), but make no mistake -- GM Hikaru Nakamura is a Rock star. Published February 6, 2018
O Canada! ‘Sons’ edited out as bill to make anthem gender-neutral moves closer to passage
A bill to make Canada's familiar national anthem less sexist is one step closer to passage. Published February 1, 2018
Jeffery Xiong shines in the shadow of Magnus Carlsen’s brilliance at Tata Steel event
In newspaper terms, the sidebars may have been more compelling than the main story at the 80th running of the powerful Tata Steel Chess Tournament in the chess-obsessed Dutch city of Wijk aan Zee. Despite a game challenge from local star GM Anish Giri, Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen prevailed in a blitz playoff for his record sixth Tata title Sunday. Published January 31, 2018
Russia shrugs as U.S. vows new sanctions — eventually
Treasury Secretary Stephen T. Mnuchin insisted Tuesday that the Trump administration is still weighing sanctions related to Russian election meddling even after the State Department let the deadline pass without imposing any further penalties. Published January 30, 2018
Canada first: U.S. trade panel unexpectedly rejects Boeing trade complaint
A U.S. trade panel has unexpectedly rejected a claim from aerospace giant Boeing Inc. against Montreal-based Bombardier Inc., in one of the most high-profile corporate trade battles to date of the Trump administration. Published January 26, 2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in takes hit in polls with North Korea overture
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has taken a significant hit to his popularity in the wake of his diplomatic overture promising warmer ties with North Korea, a new poll shows. Published January 26, 2018
When the player matters more than the pieces on the chessboard
The Wise Old Master was shown a particularly complex middle-game position, and his students inquired: Who stands better, White or Black? Published January 23, 2018
A Hail Mary leads to answered prayers at the chessboard
A "Hail Mary," as ecstatic Minnesota Vikings fans could tell you this week, is one of those last-second, throw-it-and-hope football plays that miraculously works out, where your guy comes down with the ball to score the winning touchdown. There are no wide receivers in chess, but the idea of snatching victory from defeat with a high-risk, long-odds final play is a very familiar one. Published January 16, 2018
Levada Institute, best-known Russian pollster, to stop releasing results
Russia's best-known independent polling shop said Tuesday it will stop publishing the results of its surveys, citing the legal risk after it was officially listed as a "foreign agent" by the government. Published January 16, 2018
Webster University again the definition of excellence in college chess fight
There were 58 teams entered in last month's Pan-American Intercollegiate Championships held in Columbus, Ohio, but the match everyone was waiting for came in Round 5. Published January 9, 2018
U.S. House to take up resolution slamming Iran for protest crackdown
Two top House Republicans have introduced a resolution supporting the Iranian people and condemning the regime in Tehran after a week of street protests that have resulted in more than 20 deaths across the country. Published January 5, 2018
Alexander Shabalov dominates chess field in 44th Eastern Open
It was the "Shabba Show" as GM Alexander Shabalov ran away with the 44th annual Eastern Open, the traditional local year-ending tournament held last week at the Westin Hotel in Tysons Corner. Published January 2, 2018
Spending the holidays with some dear old chess friends
It's Christmas week, so we don't plan any heavy lifting today. No breaking news, no cutting-edge opening theory, just a little quality time with some old, comfortable companions. We start with the clever little six-move mate in today's diagram by Swedish composer V. Ropke. Even the most eggnog-addled problem-hater should have no trouble solving this one. Published December 26, 2017
Despite Trump, Haley threats, U.N. overwhelmingly opposes U.S. Jerusalem move
Brushing aside threats from President Trump and America's U.N. envoy Nikki Haley, the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution effectively condemning Mr. Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and calling on Washington to rescind plans to move the U.S. Embassy there. Published December 21, 2017
Have yourself a very merry war on Christmas — over the chessboard
A war on Christmas? Bring it on. D.C.'s traditional Eastern Open, which starts next Tuesday, is just one of a number of popular events traditionally held around this time of year. Published December 19, 2017
A rowdy chess game beyond the ken of our silicon overlords
Two of the strongest players in the history of chess just played an epic 100-game match -- and hardly anyone noticed. Published December 12, 2017
