Dark Squares

How Chess Saved My Life

In this “heart-breaking, hilarious, ultimately transcendent” (Jeannette Walls) memoir, International Master and Chess.com co-founder Danny Rensch describes his upbringing in an abusive cult – and how chess ended up saving his life

Born into the Church of Immortal Consciousness, Danny Rensch spent his childhood navigating the isolated confines of a cult. Despite psychological manipulation, physical abuse, and neglect, he persevered. An international chess master and world-class commentator, Rensch’s remarkable journey led him to being the face of Chess.com, one of the largest online gaming platforms in the world.

With unflinching honesty, Rensch recounts his life, starting from the moment he discovered chess in the summer of 1995, all the way up to being at the center of the most explosive cheating scandal in chess history.

He chronicles the traumas of being “special” in a cult that forced separation from his mother. Mentored by an alcoholic, Russian chess master, he found solace alongside suffering in his obsession for an ancient game, and chess became his only escape. Rensch rose through the chess ranks until a medical emergency nearly took him out of the game forever. And it almost did, until Chess.com came along.

Deeply heartfelt, keenly reflective, and haunting, Dark Squares is the never-before-told story of Danny Rensch’s resilience, survival, and his enduring love for the game that saved him.

Incredible Story

Wonderful narration, heartbreaking content, and highly engaging. Huge respect for Danny’s courage and vulnerability sharing such a personal story.

Stunning Memoir

I don’t know much about chess, so I went into this book blind but excited to read it. I couldn’t stop listening. Danny’s story of resilience in the face of so much personal neglect and abuse is inspiring. Despite having a heavier subject matter for the book, it is still infused with humorous personal stories, making the overall effect balanced and very engaging while deftly handling hard subjects. It’s a stellar book I’d recommend to anyone, whether you know anything about chess or not.

Brave man. Good job!

Write another book in 10 years please. Enjoyed from beginning to end! Write about Daniel Narodtsky also. Was it really the ugly truth that his hero bullied him to death. Vulnerable young online need a human foundation like your mom mom gave you.

Superb story, told superbly.

Really beautiful beautifully written, and personal story. Warts-&-all (without being seedy or prurient.) And one needn’t know a single iota about the game. It’s a universal story. The author reads it well, in his handsome, slightly edgy, personable voice. It really is a ‘must read’ or ‘must listen’ tile. Well done.

Heart breaking and overwhelmingly informative. Inspiring and thought provoking. Loved every minute.

Heart breaking and overwhelmingly informative. Inspiring and thought provoking. The interworking of a cult and the history of chess unfold.
Loved every minute