The sensei discuss Danny Rensch’s memoir, Dark Squares, exploring how a traumatizing cult upbringing and early chess success shaped his life, career, and the wider evolution of the chess world.

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00:03 – Book overview 03:22 – Ear injury & setbacks 12:24 – Shelby School & cult 24:55 – Trance & hierarchy 36:34 – Separation & trauma 55:34 – Chess world’s shift 1:13:24 – Media angle & Hans