David R. Sands

There was no easing in to the fight as the FIDE Candidates tournament kicked off Sunday to pick the next challenger to reigning Indian world chess champion GM Dommaraju Gukesh.

A young dark horse and a last-minute sub are setting the pace as the FIDE Candidates and FIDE Women’s Candidates tournaments hit the halfway point this week in Cyprus.

One race is all but decided and one is set up for a thrilling stretch run as the FIDE Candidates and FIDE Women’s Candidates tournaments approach the finish line in Pegeia, Cyprus, this week.

The modern chess ratings system has proven a highly useful way of judging the relative strength of players at all levels of the game.

In chess, the downside of a sensational result is that it makes it harder for a player to sneak up on his next opponent.

One of the most dominant dynasties in college chess history won’t be coming back for the fall semester.

They took their name from one of the city’s most notorious scandals, but for one brief, shining moment, the Washington Plumbers made this city proud.

They grow up so fast these days. The world will soon have its first grandmaster born in the Obama administration’s second term, as talented Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro secured the third and final norm this month to qualify for the game’s most prestigious title.

As we marked Memorial Day this week, let us also remember the ways chess has done its part to cheer and console those who go to war.

The Hot Girl Summer of 2025 is giving way to the Sizzling Chess Summer of 2026, at least for fans of the Royal Game here in the DMV.