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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

"I don't know, frankly, what Donald Trump wants to do [about Iran], but I do know the people he has selected so far for major positions I've been very pleased to see," said Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican. (Associated Press)

James Mattis pick emboldens Iran hawks eager to press Tehran on nuclear violations

Hawks critical of the Obama administration's outreach to Iran over the past eight years were in a distinctly upbeat mood as they took over an ornate Senate caucus room Thursday to promote their cause. The incoming Trump administration, many said, understands their case and the threat posed by the regime in Tehran far better than President Obama ever did.

December 8, 2016
Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, reaches in to take a white piece from his opponent, Magnus Carlsen, of Norway, in Game 12 of the World Chess Championship, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Carlsen, Karjakin head to playoff as chess title match ends in 6-6 tie

Norwegian world chess champion Magnus Carlsen and Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin will take their chances in a one-day playoff for all the marbles after Monday's 12th and final game of their championship match left the two players knotted at six points apiece.

November 28, 2016
FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 14, 2000, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Cuban President Fidel Castro talk before signing agreements in Havana, Cuba. Castro, who led an improbable rebel victory, embraced Soviet-style communism long after the collapse of the Soviet Union and defied the power of 10 U.S. presidents, died at age 90, Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Longtime Cuban dictator Fidel Castro dead at 90

Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who dominated his island-nation for nearly a half-century and defied U.S. presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama, died late Friday evening in Havana at the age of 90.

November 26, 2016
Magnus Carlsen, left, and Sergey Karjakin face off during round 8 of the World Chess Championship, in New York, Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Magnus Carlsen evens chess championship with grueling endgame win over Sergey Karjakin

With time running out, champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway finally broke through the defenses of Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin to win Game 10 Thanksgiving Thursday in New York, tying their scheduled 12-game match at 5-5 with just two games to go. It was the champion's first win of the match and a strong rebound from a painful loss in Game 8.

November 24, 2016
Chess world champion Magnus Carlsen, right, of Norway, and challenger Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, study the board while members of the media record their first moves during the fourth round of the World Chess Championship in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Karjakin chess title Game 7

Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin tried a new opening but got a familiar result as he and world chess champion Magnus Carlsen played their seventh straight draw of their scheduled 12-game world title match in New York City Sunday.

November 20, 2016
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. speaks to media at Trump Tower, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, in New York. President-elect Donald Trump is offering the post of attorney general to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, one of the Trump's closest and most consistent allies. That's according to a senior Trump official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the conversation. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Jeff Sessions, Trump AG pick, a buzzkill for marijuana industry

President-elect Donald Trump's choice of conservative Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is proving to be something of a buzzkill to the nation's marijuana entrepreneurs, who fear his record opposing legalized pot could mean an abrupt halt to the industry's recent success under President Obama.

November 18, 2016
Chess world champion Magnus Carlsen, right, of Norway, makes a move as challenger Sergey Karjakin, of Russia, watches during the fourth round of the World Chess Championship in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Magnus Carlsen ties Sergey Karjakin in world chess match playoff

Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin cheated death for the second time in a row, holding a deeply inferior endgame to eke out a grueling 92-move draw against world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Tuesday's Game 4 of their world title match in New York City.

November 15, 2016
Topalov-Nakamura after 27...fxg5.

Sergey Karjakin holds tough draw against Magnus Carlsen to keep chess match level

His trademark tenacity failed him as Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen was unable to grind down challenger Sergey Karjakin of Russia in a favorable endgame in Monday's third game of their scheduled 12-game $1.1 million title match in New York City. Following two uneventful draws, the 78-move, seven-hour struggle leaves the match tied and could provide a psychological boost to the underdog challenger.

November 15, 2016
World Chess Championship 2016 logo from the official website.

Magnus Carlsen settles for draw in World Chess Championship Game 3

His legendary tenacity let him down for once as Norwegian chess champion Magnus Carlsen missed a clear endgame win against Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin, conceding a draw in the third game of their scheduled 12-game title match in New York after 78 moves and seven hours of grueling play Monday.

November 14, 2016
World Chess Championship 2016 logo from the official website.

First game of world chess title match drawn in NYC

Champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Russian challenger Sergey Karjakin of Russia agreed to a draw after 42 moves in the first game of their 12-game world chess championship match that started Friday in New York City.

November 12, 2016