David R. Sands

Confusion, infighting plague Russian military in mutiny’s wake

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have survived -- for now -- the mutiny launched by onetime ally Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group mercenaries.

June 29, 2023

An unsettled Russia as Prigozhin finds refuge in Belarus

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin surfaced in Belarus Tuesday, days after leading the disruptive but aborted armed uprising that rocked the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

June 27, 2023

Lukashenko confirms Wagner chief is in Belarus, denies building new camp for mercenaries

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday verified that Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had fled to his country, days after his mercenary force staged an abortive revolt in neighboring Russia.

June 27, 2023

Go team! Global Sports League kicks off inaugural season in Dubai

Having covered multiple Olympiads, college chess Final Fours and U.S. Amateur Team East blowouts over the years, I can personally attest that chess as a team sport is hardly a novel concept.

June 27, 2023

Uneasy calm, uncertain future as rattled Putin denounces ‘treacherous’ uprising

The only thing that seemed clear is that the fallout from the aborted, semi-coup staged by Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's forces is certain to be felt for months to come.

June 26, 2023

The last shall be first: Zatonskih scores surprise win in women’s chess tilt

There's still half a year to go, but IM Anna Zatonskih's victory in the 3rd annual Cairns Cup earlier this month looks certain to rank among the most unexpected results of 2023.

June 20, 2023

There from the start: Fathers, children and chess

They may not have been very strong players themselves, but many can claim credit for teaching the game's greatest stars how to set up the board and the difference between a pin and a fork.

June 13, 2023

Both sides seek high ground in PR wars as Ukraine offensive kicks off

It didn't take long for the fog of war to settle over Ukraine's long-awaited spring counteroffensive, with both sides claiming to see bright spots in the fighting Sunday. The clash could determine the fate of Russia's 16-month invasion.

June 11, 2023

Big guns in chess bring the firepower at strong Cherry Blossom Classic

Some of the game's big guns descended on Northern Virginia as a score of grandmasters and titled players battled it out at the 10th Cherry Blossom Classic at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott.

May 30, 2023

Caruana turns back time — literally — in Superbet chess win

Time can pass awfully slowly when you're watching a chess game at classical time controls, but can it actually move in reverse?

May 23, 2023

Ding, Nepomniachtchi struggle in first outing after grueling chess title bout

New world champion GM Ding Liren of China and challenger GM Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia were back in action barely more than a week after their grueling, four-week match last month -- and it showed.

May 16, 2023

Niemann back at the chessboard as FIDE delays cheating analysis

His $100 million defamation lawsuit is in limbo, but young American GM Hans Moke Niemann is back to battling at the chessboard.

May 9, 2023

Arab League ministers move to end Syria’s isolation despite U.S. concerns

Syria took another major step toward ending a decade of isolation as Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Egypt on Sunday voted to allow the regime of President Bashar Assad back into the fold.

May 7, 2023

Comeback kid Ding Liren is China’s first world chess champ

It was a fitting finale for the unlikely coronation of the 17th world chess champion: The only time Chinese GM Ding Liren led in his epic monthlong title match with Russian rival Ian Nepomniachtchi was when the clocks were stopped on the fourth and final game of the rapid playoff that decided the contest.

May 2, 2023

Ding Liren becomes first Chinese world chess champion

China has its first official world chess champion, as Grandmaster Ding Liren defeated Russian rival Ian Nepomniachtchi in a playoff Sunday after their 14-game title match in Astana, Kazakhstan ended in a 7-7 tie.

April 30, 2023

Chess title fight may be decided by a freeze and a bluff

The world chess championship may be decided by a freeze and a fake-out. The unexpectedly compelling 14-game title match in Astana, Kazakhstan, between Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and Chinese GM Ding Liren is entering the home stretch.

April 25, 2023

An unassuming winner sparks an unlikely sports dynasty

President Biden's plan to host South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a three-day state visit this month comes just before a milestone anniversary for the history of South Korean sports.

April 24, 2023

In a break with tradition, chess title fight turns into slugfest

Given the stakes and the quality of the opposition, world chess championship matches -- especially in the early rounds -- tend to be cautious, risk-averse affairs.

April 18, 2023

Putin made stealth visit to occupied Ukraine for briefing, Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a stealth visit to parts of eastern Ukraine occupied by Russian forces, the closest the Russian leader has come to the front lines since ordering the invasion more than 14 months ago.

April 18, 2023

Nuclear confusion: Finland powers up as Germany shuts down

It was a banner day -- both good and bad -- for nuclear power in Europe.

April 16, 2023