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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

French President Emmanuel Macron reacts as he delivers his speech during the opening session of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator conference, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Paris. Emmanuel Macron once appeared as a bold, young leader offering to revive France through radical pro-business, pro-European policies so that voters have "no reason anymore" to vote for the extremes. Seven years after he was first elected, his call for snap elections weakens him at home and abroad, while it appears to propel the far right on the verge of power. (Dylan Martinez/Pool via AP) **FILE**

French conservatives looking strong on eve of critical election test

French President Emmanuel Macron's gamble to hold a snap election to thwart the power of rising right-wing parties is looking ever more risky as final polls showed the far-right National Rally poised to score major gains in the first of two rounds of voting Sunday.

June 28, 2024
Divya-Abdinova after 14...Qxb2.

Budding talents, old souls: Nogerbek, Divya capture world chess junior titles

It has to be admitted that the world junior and world junior girls' titles don't have the same cachet as they did in the days when young up-and-comers such as Boris Spassky, Garry Kasparov and Vishy Anand used the event as their coming-out party on the global stage. These days, the kids can go right to the grown-ups' table, soaring up the ratings ladder and getting top tournament invitations without having to play the younger circuit first.

June 18, 2024
Carlsen-Ding after 29. Re4.

Ding Liren’s woes mount with shaky showing at Norway Chess tournament

The Ding Dilemma deepens. Chinese world champion GM Ding Liren, suffering from a combination of ill health, inactivity and an inexplicable collapse of confidence at the board, came to the 12th Norway Chess tournament now underway in Stavanger with a modest goal: "not to finish in last place." That may have been too ambitious.

June 4, 2024
Fedoseev-Salem after 26. Qh3.

Ding Liren, a diffident chess champ, faces difficult test in Norway

In a club that has admitted only 17 officially recognized members over the past 150 years or so, one would think that being the world chess champion would come with a little bit of justified hubris. But reigning Chinese world champion Ding Liren, who must defend the title he won in 2023 by the end of the year against young Indian phenom GM Dommaraju Gukesh, is proving an exception to the rule.

May 28, 2024
Sher-Hitzgerova after 22...Rxc6.

Some teachable moments from some notable chess coaches

Morphy's first chess teacher was his uncle -- a weak player -- and Capablanca picked up the game from his father -- who was likely even worse, but modern players from Bobby Fischer on were far more likely to rely on a competent and inspiring coach to set them on the path to greatness.

May 21, 2024
Marshall-Bogoljubov after 32...Bd4.

Clash of the giants: At 100, New York 1924 still casts a spell

With modern grandmasters routinely battling each other over the board multiple times every year, it may be hard for chess devotees today to conceive of the excitement generated by the great New York Tournament of 1924, held 100 years ago this year at the Almanac Hotel at 71st Street and Broadway.

May 7, 2024
Savitha-Khotenashvili after 28...Rhb8.

Gukesh’s win enhances Chennai’s stature as the hot city of chess

The world may just be beginning to appreciate the talent and potential of 17-year-old Indian GM Dommaraju Gukesh, who became the youngest player ever to qualify for a world title match, but his hometown of Chennai has long been known as a cradle of chess champs.

April 30, 2024
Vaishali-Salimova after 13...Ng4.

Nakamura rocked by early loss as Candidates battle in Toronto

American GM Hikaru Nakamura picked a bad time to play a bad game. Nakamura came into the Candidates riding a 47-game unbeaten streak at classical time controls. But after an exciting Round 1 draw with Caruana, he saw that streak come crashing to a halt in Round 2 against GM Santosh Vidit, one of three Indian GMs making their debut in this Candidates cycle.

April 9, 2024