Special Book Event with IM Danny Rensch

Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 6 pm PT

at Mechanics' Institute Chess Club

We’re thrilled to welcome International Master, Chess.com co-founder, and renowned chess advocate Danny Rensch for a special live book talk celebrating his new memoir, Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life.

Danny will be joined in conversation by Alex Robins, the current Chess Room Director, who will lead a live Q&A about this highly anticipated book. Danny will also be available for autographs and book signings following the discussion.

About the book

In Dark Squares, International Master and Chess.com co-founder Danny Rensch shares a candid account of his unconventional upbringing and the role chess played in shaping the course of his life.

Growing up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness, Rensch spent his early years in a highly controlled and isolating environment. Despite these challenges, he found a path forward—one that eventually led him to become an international chess master, respected commentator, and one of the primary public figures behind Chess.com, now among the largest online gaming communities worldwide.

With clarity and thoughtfulness, Rensch reflects on his journey: discovering chess in 1995, navigating the pressures placed on him within the group he was raised in, and developing under the mentorship of a demanding Russian chess coach. Chess became both an outlet and a source of stability as he moved through a difficult childhood and into competitive success.

His story continues through his rise in the chess world, the medical setback that threatened his future in the game, and the pivotal role Chess.com would later play in his professional and personal life.

Dark Squares offers an honest look at resilience, growth, and the enduring impact chess has had on Rensch’s life.

About the author

Danny Rensch is an International Master and the Chief Chess Officer at Chess.com. After a successful scholastic chess career, he co-founded Chess.com in 2009 and now leads the company’s content strategy, media partnerships, and professional events. A well-known commentator and presenter, Danny was instrumental in developing Chess.com’s streaming and creator programs. His long-standing commitment to playing and teaching chess continues to support the company’s mission of expanding access to the game and enriching the lives of players around the world.

With over 200 million members globally, Chess.com is the leading platform for learning and playing chess.

Registration

• Online Registration Open Until: Thursday, December 18: 6:00 pm
• Entry fee for Mechanics' Institute Members: $Free!
• Entry fee for Non-Members: $Free!

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