David R. Sands

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.

Next week, we’ll explore how great the chess dads are, but we thought we’d beat the pre-Father’s Day rush with a couple of superb recent performances from the ladies.

Like many of you, I suspect, I learned how to play chess as a young boy from my father.

It’s said you get only one chance to make a first impression, and two promising young American chess talents badly botched their audition.