Entrepreneurs are first pulled toward their passion in all sorts of ways—whether that be through an overbearing parent, chasing a childhood dream career, or realization that a hobby can bring in millions. But Danny Rensch, chess champion and cofounder of Chess.com, initially strived for greatness during his unconventional childhood growing up in a cult.
Today, Rensch helms one of the largest online chess platforms in the world with more than 225 million registered members and 40 million active monthly users. As one of the company’s three cofounders and chief chess officer, he’s an American entrepreneur leading a gaming site beloved by millions. Chess.com says it surpassed a $1 billion valuation in 2023 without any venture backers, entirely bootstrapped by the entrepreneurs who were “laughed out of VC rooms” at the company’s inception. Rensch’s superstar status as a teen and international platform success has made him one of the most powerful figures in the industry. But his entry into the world of chess was anything but usual.
