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David R. Sands

David R. Sands

dsands@washingtontimes.com

David R. Sands covered numerous beats, including international trade, banking, politics and Capitol Hill, and spent eight years on the foreign desk as senior diplomatic correspondent. He has authored The Times' weekly chess column since 1993.

Articles by David R. Sands

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani casts his ballot in the parliamentary elections at the interior ministry in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) ** FILE **

Top Iranian mocks new U.S. sanctions on election council

The head of Iran's Guardian Council, the body charged with defending the country's Islamist constitution, on Friday mocked new sanctions imposed this week by the Trump administration on five members of the Council for sharply restricting voters' choices in Friday's national elections.

February 21, 2020
Ju-Yip after 39. Kh1.

Carissa Yip flips the chess script with big Cairns comeback

A disastrous start led to a triumphal conclusion for FM Carissa Yip at the 2nd Cairns Cup in St. Louis over the weekend, as the young American FM turned in one of the finest minus-one results seen in a tournament in a long time.

February 18, 2020
Muzychuk-Koneru after 23...Bh5.

In the spotlight, women chess stars put on a show at Cairns

The ladies have the spotlight all to themselves this week as women's world champ GM Ju Wenjun of China and nine of the planet's most accomplished female players are battling it out at the second annual Cairns Cup tournament at the St. Louis Chess Club.

February 11, 2020
Iraqi army soldiers are deployed in front of the U.S. Embassy, in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Iran-backed militiamen have withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad after two days of clashes with American security forces. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser) ** FILE **

Iraqi militia calls for lone-wolf strikes against U.S. forces

The Iran-allied Iraqi militia group at the center of a military confrontation with the Trump administration said the "door to jihad" has been opened against U.S. forces in the country and called for supporters to carry out Islamic State-style "lone wolf" attacks against American assets across the region.

January 10, 2020
Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and Israeli slogans during a protest against U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Magam 37 kilometers (23 miles) North of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The killing of Iran's top military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani triggered several anti-U.S. protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the protesters also shut down shops and businesses in Magam and Budgam towns in south Kashmir. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Soleimani strike puts U.S. mission in Iraq in jeopardy

The U.S. strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a leading Iraqi Shiite militia leader has been condemned by officials across the Iraqi political spectrum and could put the future of some 5,000 U.S. troop stationed in Iraq in doubt.

January 3, 2020
Thompson — White to play and mate in two moves.

Honoring a column and a legacy of African American chess excellence in D.C.

We start with a big personal thank you to D.C.'s venerable Black Knights Chess Team, which earlier this month awarded this column and this columnist a "lifetime achievement award" at its third annual closed championship, citing our coverage over the past quarter-century of the local chess scene and of Washington, D.C., as the nation's primary incubator of black chess excellence.

December 17, 2019
Ding-So after 17...gxf5.

Ding Liren makes a noise with big win in London chess event

Confirming his status as one of the hottest players in the world right now, Chinese super-GM Ding Liren has captured the four-player FIDE Grand Chess Tour tournament in London, besting a field that included Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen and French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

December 10, 2019
Polgar-Gaprindashvili after 16...Qh4-h5.

Legendary Nona Gaprindashvili adds to bulging chess trophy case

A storied career just added another chapter as GM Nona Gaprindashvili, the women's world champion from 1961 to 1978 and a five-time Soviet women's champion, captured last month's World Women's 65+ Senior Championship tournament in Bucharest, Romania, for the second year in a row at the ripe young age of 78.

December 3, 2019
Friedrich-Kryvoruchko after 16...Bc8-f5.

With knockout, Alexander Grischuk eyes slot in 2020 chess world title hunt

Veteran Russian GM Alexander Grischuk has put himself in a prime position for another run at the world championship, capturing the 16-player FIDE Grand Prix knockout tournament in Hamburg, Germany, and all but clinching a slot in March's Candidates tournament for the right to challenge Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen.

November 26, 2019