Danny Rensch: trusting HANS, IGNORING cheating, Magnus vs Hikaru

Chess with Mustreader

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Today's special guest is Danny Rensch — Chess.com's Chief Chess Officer! We’ve discussed many hot topics: Hans' against chess.com, how FIDE and other organizers ignore cheating problems and why 2025 will be HUGE for chess. Danny shared how they banned top GMs and WHY the Hikaru-Magnus match never happened in 2023. Bonus: two action-packed blitz games to finish!

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My podcast with Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK

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Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 – Intro

01:41 – Danny's challenging childhood

05:17 – "Chess is a scary game"

06:37 – What chess means to Danny

11:44 – Secret behind Chess.com success

18:52 – Is chess boring to watch?

24:03 – Chess audience growing 10x soon?

28:46 – 2025 chess boom: Netflix, A24, Joe Rogan

31:05 – Chess popularity explosion

33:22 – Chess.com quitting tournaments?!

39:22 – Why Hikaru-Magnus match cancelled?

42:32 – Niemann lawsuit aftermath

45:50 – What Hans Niemann isn't telling

51:07 – Organizers ignore cheating

59:55 – Will cheating destroy chess?

1:06:17 – Blitz games

Danny Rensch: trusting HANS, IGNORING cheating, Magnus vs Hikaru

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greg mustreader

mustreader chess

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 31 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

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