9 yr Old Forced by Cult to Become Chess Master to Convert the World (ft. Danny Rensch)

Born into the Church of Immortal Consciousness, Danny Rensch spent his chiIdhood 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. 

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 alcohol*c, Russian chess master, he found solace alongside suffer*ng 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, today Danny dives further into the details of his book, Dark Squares, dannthe never-before-told story of Danny Rensch’s resilience, survival, and his enduring love for the game that saved him. 

Order Danny's Book: Dark Squares
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541703286/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_YBAFE3X4CPQTRG1BEJP3?linkCode=ml1&tag=shelisehufste-20&linkId=3fab1602caa716dd06d5ee09d5cb00d2

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/dannyrensch/

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Chapter Marks

00:00:00 Intro
00:04:54 Background on the Church of Immortal Consciousness
00:10:53 Danny's chiIdhood & his parents' relationship
00:20:43 First experiences with chess
00:25:52 When chess started taking off for Danny
00:29:31 Danny's relationship with his mentor, Igor
00:33:29 Being given his spiritual purpose to play chess
00:39:54 Connections to the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer
00:44:49 Sacrificing the relationship with his mother
00:54:48 Balancing intuition and belief
01:00:39 Living two lives
01:07:46 Medical issues & turning to subst*nces
01:18:46 The hero of Danny's story
01:25:58 Overcoming the mysoginy taught by the cult
01:30:48 Founding Chess.com
01:38:47 Triggering moments from the Queen's Gambit
01:43:00 Danny's life now
01:47:24 Full circle moment with Searching for Bobby Fischer
01:51:53 Danny's Linda Listen

**Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.**