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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

Fuller-Basin after 34...Qxe3.

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.

January 16, 2018
White to play and mate in six.

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.

December 26, 2017
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley bluntly warned that the U.S. would be "taking names" of countries that accept American aid and support but would not back Washington in the vote. (Associated Press)

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.

December 21, 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin, announcing his candidacy for another term, said he hoped to "improve the lives of the people in our country and make our country stronger, safer and forward-looking." (Associated Press)

U.S. escalates feud with Russia over suspected INF treaty missile violations

The Trump administration is planning new diplomatic, military and economic steps to pressure Russia after concluding earlier this week that Moscow had violated the landmark Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by deploying a new missile that U.S. military officials say is not allowed under the 1987 deal.

December 8, 2017
"It has been clear from the outset [of his presidency] that President Trump is willing to do what it takes to bring the North Koreans to the negotiating table," said Choo Mi-ae, a leader of South Korea's Democratic Party. (Associated Press/File)

Choo Mi-ae, South Korean party leader, sees promise in Trump’s hawkish stand on North Korea

NEWSMAKER INTERVIEW: President Trump has broken with his predecessors in making North Korea's nuclear programs a priority from the first day of his administration, improving the prospects for a negotiated solution to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula despite the angry rhetoric and provocative moves from both Washington and Pyongyang, the head of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party said in an interview.

November 21, 2017
Aronian-Giri after 24...Bf6.

Levon Aronian wins big in Spanish chess tourney

The two most dangerous opponents in chess are those who are desperate for a win and those who have nothing to lose. Armenian star GM Levon Aronian falls into the latter category right now, which may explain his strong start at the final FIDE Grand Prix event now underway in the Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca.

November 21, 2017