Read of the Week (Nov 23 to Nov 29): 'Dark Squares' by Danny Rensch

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 be 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 centre of the most explosive cheating scandal in chess history.

Mentored by an alcoholic Russian chess master, he found solace alongside suffering in his obsession with 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.

Danny Rensch is an international chess master, world-renowned chess broadcaster and commentator, and Chief Chess Officer for Chess.com. Rensch was a seven-time all-American chess player and a national scholastic chess champion on multiple occasions.