David R. Sands
Articles by David R. Sands
DAVID R. SANDS: Yochanan Afek scores unprecedented fourth chess title
In the hallways of Chess High, the over-the-board stars and the problemists tend to run in sharply separated cliques. Published May 12, 2015
Diplomatic diss to Obama: Russia, China step up ties with new investment bank
In just the latest sign of warming bilateral ties, Russian and Chinese officials announced plans Friday to form a jointly-run investment bank designed in part to funnel Chinese investor money into Russian companies. Published May 8, 2015
Periscope chief: Live-streaming app not about piracy
The co-founder of Periscope Inc. said the new live videostreaming app is "unequivocally" opposed to pirating after the company faced complaints that users were effectively stealing and instantly re-broadcasting video of the recent Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match on pay-per-view. Published May 6, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: China rules, young Americans shine in world team chess battle
China extended its impressive, run but there was a bright silver lining for the young American squad at the just-finished FIDE World Team Championships in Armenia. Published May 5, 2015
New Russia-China alliance latest diplomatic, strategic blow to Obama
From the moon to the Mediterranean to the heart of Moscow, China and Russia in recent days have announced a striking number of moves to strengthen military, financial and political ties, raising the specter of a deeper alliance between the U.S. rivals. Published April 30, 2015
Obama denies trying to subvert China’s new bank
The U.S. is not trying to undercut a new China-sponsored infrastructure bank for Asia or pressure allies not to take part, but remains wary that the proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank may not have the right lending standards and transparency to be effective, President Obama said Tuesday. Published April 28, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Honoring a fallen star with a star-studded chess tournament
Chess has devised a wealth of ways to preserve the memory of the game's greatest and most notable figures. Published April 28, 2015
Larry Hogan: Maryland National Guard ‘on alert’ over Baltimore rioting
Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency and has put the state's National Guard "on alert" after a day of rioting, looting and violence targeting police in Baltimore. Published April 27, 2015
Comcast calling off mega-merger with Time Warner: report
One of the biggest media mergers of all time appears to be dead as cable giant Comcast Corp. has reportedly pulled the plug on a $45 billion takeover of rival Time Warner Cable Inc. in the face of rising resistance from the Obama administration to approve the deal. Published April 23, 2015
McDonald’s, Coca-Cola scrambling to connect with health-conscious millennials
There may be no more American a meal than a Big Mac washed down by a Coke, but the companies behind the menu are facing some big question marks as they try to stay relevant in an increasingly Chipotle-and-bottled-water world. Published April 22, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: After forfeit, So bounces back with win streak in chess
We don't know whether Wesley So knows his Kipling, but he is handling adversity in a way the old bard would admire. Published April 21, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: So busted — favorite forfeited for note-taking during chess game
Favorites Hikaru Nakamura and Irina Krush lived up to their billing with impressive victories in the 2015 U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Championships. A new generation of American stars made their mark, and a number of impressive games were played. Published April 14, 2015
North Korea aims to be more business friendly — with Putin
One of the world's most hermetically sealed economies is trying to change its image. Published April 14, 2015
Russians say Islamic State infiltrating domestic groups
The jihadi terror group Islamic State has begun "embedding" with Russian domestic terror organizations, including a leading Chechen resistance group, a top Russian intelligence official said Friday. Published April 10, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: Hikaru Nakamura leads in St. Louis; Mariya Muzychuk wins chess crown in Sochi
The top seeds are in the two top places as GM Hikaru Nakamura at 4-1 leads GM Wesley So by a half-point through Sunday's Round 5 of the U.S. Open Championships, now underway at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. Published April 8, 2015
Jim Yong Kim ignores Obama; World Bank boss welcomes new Chinese bank
Count the American head of the World Bank as one more major player ignoring Obama administration concerns to say he welcomes the creation of a major new China-sponsored development bank to fund infrastructure projects across Asia. Published April 7, 2015
Iranian deal silent on fate of U.S. prisoners held by Tehran
While President Obama and his aides hailed the nuclear deal struck with Iran as a diplomatic coup, the accord was silent on a major bilateral irritant between Washington and Tehran — the fate of three American prisoners being held in Iranian jails. Published April 2, 2015
Efforts to head off China development bank called a failure
U.S. efforts to head off a new China-sponsored development bank for the booming Asia region ended in abject failure this week as organizers announced nearly four dozen countries — including some of America's closest Asian and European allies — have applied to membership, amid growing criticism of how the Obama administration handled the entire episode. Published April 1, 2015
DAVID R. SANDS: UMBC, Virginia Assassins come up short in team chess events
In two big national team events last week, the locals got passed by the express. Published April 1, 2015
U.S. allies rush to join China’s new bank as deadline looms
The rush to join the China's new development bank for Asia has become a stampede, with even longtime U.S. allies such as Georgia, South Korea, Australia and even Taiwan now saying they are ready to join despite the clear reservations of the Obama administration. Published March 30, 2015