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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

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, Aug. 21, 2015. U.S. stocks are sharply lower in midday trading on concerns about the Chinese economy. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

U.S., world markets pummeled by China fears

U.S. stock markets experienced one of the wildest trading day in years Monday, with the Dow Jones index losing nearly 1,100 points -- nearly 6 percent of its total value -- in the first few minutes after trading began, staging a spirited rally, but turning strongly negative again to finish off 588 points, or 3.58 percent.

August 24, 2015
Specialist Paul Cosentino (center) works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 24, 2015. (Associated Press)

After opening plunge, Dow posts second straight 500-point-plus loss

The U.S. stock markets experienced their wildest trading day in years Monday, with the Dow Jones index losing nearly 1,100 points -- nearly 6 percent of its total value -- in the minutes after trading began, staged a spirited rally, but turned strongly negative again with an hour left in the session.

August 24, 2015
President Obama speaks at the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City on May 3, 2013. (Associated Press) **FILE**

Obama eases oil export ban with big swap deal with Mexico

In the latest move undercutting the longstanding ban on exporting U.S. crude oil, the Obama administration has approved a proposal that would trade American lighter sweet crude for heavier crude supplies from Mexico.

August 14, 2015
Rapport-Adams, after 26. Bc4.

DAVID R. SANDS: A Romantic chess opening gets a modern revival

It was the signature opening of chess's 19th century Romantic Era, but has become a rare visitor to modern tournament chess. Paul Morphy used it for some of his greatest wins, Bobby Fischer claimed to have refuted it, and even today, some key lines remain a subject of intense theoretical dispute.

July 28, 2015
Jacobson-Kovalyov after 30. Rh3-h5.

DAVID R. SANDS: Alex Lenderman represents U.S. in capturing World Open chess honors

It was a highly appropriate Fourth of July weekend result. Just one U.S. player was among the eight grandmasters who tied for first in the 43rd World Open, held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City from June 30 through July 5, but it was the American — New York GM Alex Lenderman — who took the official title and a small cash bonus by winning an "Armageddon" playoff match against Azerbaijani GM Rauf Mamedov.

July 14, 2015
FILE - This Oct. 2, 2014 file photo shows the Wall Street subway stop on Broadway, in New York's Financial District. Stocks turned higher in European trading on Friday, April 24, 2015, despite a lack of progress on Greece's bailout. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

‘Glitch’ shuts mighty New York Stock Exchange for much of trading day

The New York Stock Exchange had to shut down trading abruptly shortly before noon Wednesday over what officials said was a technical malfunction that froze computers on the market's fabled trading floor. U.S. officials said they saw no signs of a cyberattack, and the market was able to reopen for the last 50 minutes of the trading day.

July 8, 2015

Walter Browne, six-time U.S chess champ, dies suddenly at 66

Walter Browne, a fearless attacker and indomitable competitor who dominated the American chess scene in the years after world champion Bobby Fischer retired from the game, died suddenly in his sleep Wednesday at the age of 66.

June 25, 2015