| Full Name | Daniel “Danny” Michael Rensch |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion / Belief Background | Raised in Church of Immortal Consciousness; identifies as Christian (non-denominational) now |
| Parents | Mother (deceased 2017), Father (name not publicly disclosed) |
| Spouse | Shauna Rensch |
| Children | Four children (2 sons, 2 daughters) |
| Occupation | Cofounder & Chief Chess Officer of Chess.com; Author |
| Notable Work | Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life (memoir, 2025); Lead & commentary roles at Chess.com |
| Net Worth | ≈ $15 million (2025 estimate) |
| Controversies / Public Criticism | Debate over cheating policies; criticism from Vladimir Kramnik; revealing childhood trauma |
Quick Facts
• Full Name: Daniel “Danny” Rensch
• Date of Birth: Circa 1986 (Age 39 in 2025)
• Place of Birth: Arizona, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Entrepreneur, Chess Master, Author
• Company: Chess.com (Cofounder & Chief Chess Officer)
• Religion: Christian (non-denominational)
• Parents: Former members of the Church of
Immortal Consciousness
• Books: Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life (2025)
• Net Worth: $15 million (estimated, 2025)
• Known For: Cofounding Chess.com, online chess commentary, motivational speaking
• Controversy: Spoke openly about growing up in a cult and psychological recovery
•Education: Homeschooled; self-taught chess master
• Business Milestone: Chess.com reached $1 billion valuation (2023)
Early Life & Childhood in the Cult
Daniel “Danny” Michael Rensch was born October 10, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He grew up in a religious group called the Church of Immortal Consciousness (also known as The Collective), founded by Steven and Trina Kamp. The group had its own remote village (“Tonto Village”) and was strict; young Danny lived barefoot, moved between family and collective members, with limited autonomy.
Danny Rensch parents were part of the cult; they eventually divorced. His mother passed away in September 2017 after a stroke. He also has siblings (a younger brother named Tiger, for example) who played chess and taught in schools.
Chess Prodigy & Early Career
- At age 9, inspired by the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer, Danny fell in love with chess
- Danny Rensch became Arizona’s youngest National Master at age 14.
- During high school, he won national scholastic chess championships and competed strongly.
Building Chess.com & Business Success
- Danny Rensch co-founded Chess.com in 2009, along with Erik Allebest and Jay Severson.
- The platform has grown to over 225 million registered users and tens of millions of active users per month. It surpassed a $1 billion valuation in 2023 without traditional VC backing.
Recent Update: Memoir, Book & Public Disclosure
- In September 2025, Danny Rensch released his memoir Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life. It’s very personal, revealing more about his upbringing, trauma, and how chess was both a means of escape and conflict.
- In interviews related to the book, he spoke about losing connection with his mother, how familial relationships were strained, and his work with mental health and healing.
Personal & Family Life
- Danny Rensch married to Shauna Rensch.
- They have 4 children: two sons and two daughters.
- Danny Rensch currently lives with his family in Utah.
Religion, Beliefs & Identity
- Raised in a religious cult (Church of Immortal Consciousness) with spiritual teachings tightly woven with leadership and hierarchy.
- As an adult, he identifies as Christian but not aligned with any church; he emphasizes spirituality, resilience, and personal healing rather than formal religious structure. (Based on interviews; he’s spoken about religious upbringing and current beliefs.)
Net Worth & Public Influence
- Danny Rensch’s estimated net worth (2025) is around $15 million, coming from Chess.com ownership, book royalties, commentary, and public appearances. (Estimate; multiple sources converge around this.)
- Danny Rensch is the Chief Chess Officer of Chess.com, often the public face—commentator, content creator, lecturer.
Controversies & Public Criticism
- There’s been some debate within the chess community over how Chess.com handles cheating, moderation, and responses to former members’ criticisms. Vladimir Kramnik publicly criticized Rensch for comments about cheating and “frustration” from long-time players.
- Also, the very revealing details of his upbringing—childhood in a cult, separation from his mother, emotional abuse—have sparked both admiration and scrutiny. Some readers feel the full scope has only recently come to light with Dark Squares.
FAQs
1. Who is Danny Rensch?
- Danny Rensch is an American chess master, entrepreneur, author, and cofounder of Chess.com, one of the largest online chess platforms in the world. He is also the Chief Chess Officer of the company and a popular chess commentator.
2. What is Danny Rensch real name?
- Danny Rensch full name is Daniel Michael Rensch.
3. How old is Danny Rensch?
- As of 2025, Danny Rensch is 39 years old. He was born on October 10, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
4. What religion was Danny Rensch raised in?
- Danny Rensch was raised in a controversial religious group known as the Church of Immortal Consciousness. As an adult, he identifies as a Christian, though he is not affiliated with any specific denomination.
5. Who are Danny Rensch parents?
- Danny Rensch was raised by parents who were both members of the Church of Immortal Consciousness. His mother passed away in 2017 after a stroke, while his father’s name is not publicly known.
6. Is Danny Rensch married?
- Yes. Danny Rensch is married to Shauna Rensch, and the couple lives in Utah, USA, with their children.
7. Does Danny Rensch have children?
- Yes, Danny Rensch has four children - two sons and two daughters.
8. How did Danny Rensch start Chess.com?
- Danny Rensch co-founded Chess.com in 2009 along with Erik Allebest and Jay Severson. The site started as a small bootstrapped project after they were “laughed out of VC rooms.” It has since grown into a billion-dollar platform with over 225 million registered members.
9. What is Danny Rensch’s book “Dark Squares” about?
- Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life is Danny’s 2025 memoir, where he shares how chess helped him escape the abusive environment of the cult he grew up in and shaped his journey toward healing and success.
10. What is Danny Rensch net worth?
- As of 2025, Danny Rensch estimated net worth is around $15 million, earned through Chess.com ownership, book sales, commentary, and public appearances.
About the Author
Praise Graciebby is a content creator on The StarProfile, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.
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