I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Dark Squares. Danny Rensch’s book is an absolutely fascinating read. This man has led an extraordinary life and is a paragon of how to overcome adversity. I find myself already recommending this book to all sorts of people: those interested in the recent chess cheating scandal and chess cheating more broadly, people with health challenges, people interested in cults, those interested in overcoming addiction, people generally interested in chess prodigies, tech company leadership, or even simply chess in general. If you know and like Rensch as a streamer, this book will sound just like he’s speaking to you and you won’t be able to put it down. And if you don’t know him yet, this is a great book to get to know his amazing story.

Dark Squares is a compelling memoir that blends the intensity of a cult-like upbringing with the sharp, strategic world of chess. Rensch’s story offers a fascinating look at how his early life shaped him both personally and professionally. I was especially drawn to the exploration of his unconventional childhood and the psychological dynamics within his family. While the latter sections discussing modern chess in the digital age were less engaging for me, the memoir as a whole is an insightful and thought-provoking read. Fans of memoirs about resilience, self-discovery, and the game of chess will find a lot to appreciate here.