Summary of Dark Squares

Born into the Church of Immortal Consciousness, Danny Rensch spent his childhood trapped within the isolated and oppressive confines of a cult. Despite enduring psychological manipulation, physical abuse, and neglect, Rensch managed to persevere. An international chess master and world-class commentator, he rose to become the face of Chess.com, one of the largest online gaming platforms in the world.

In Dark Squares, Rensch recounts his extraordinary journey with unflinching honesty. He takes us through his life, beginning with the pivotal moment in 1995 when he first discovered chess, to his rise in the ranks of the game, and ultimately his involvement at the center of one of the most explosive cheating scandals in chess history.

Rensch reflects on the trauma of being “special” in a cult that forced him to be separated from his mother, and how, despite being mentored by an alcoholic Russian chess master, he found solace in the ancient game. Chess became his only escape, a sanctuary from the chaos surrounding him. His obsession with the game drove him to succeed, but a medical emergency nearly took him away from it forever—until Chess.com gave him a second chance.

Dark Squares is a deeply heartfelt, reflective, and haunting memoir. It tells the never-before-revealed story of Danny Rensch’s resilience, survival, and the enduring love for the game that saved him.