Chess.com cofounder says it took a pinch of delusion to bring the traditional game online-and it's a 'requirement for every successful entrepreneur' | Fortune

"Entrepreneurs often have to take a leap of faith to get their businesses off the ground-whether it be cashing out their 401(k)s for funding, or dropping out of Ivy League colleges to go all-in. Chess.com cofounder Danny Rensch started his 235 million-player empire when his life was on the brink of collapse. Although he initially believed his vision was unrealistic, he credits a bit of that self-delusion to the platform's success."

"Lovers of the historic board game from all around the world tune into the platform daily, facing off in around 26 million matches each day, and more than 800 million monthly. Some of the world's greatest players, including the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, frequent Chess.com; and beyond the fanfare, the business is thriving. The company says it surpassed a $1 billion valuation in 2023-an impressive feat for a bootstrapped platform with no venture backers."

"But turn back the clock 20 years, and the snapshot of Rensch's life looked a whole lot different. While dreaming up the business at just 18 years old, the chess prodigy was cornered by life challenges; his game-playing career was in jeopardy and marriage was on the rocks, all while battling against the cult he was raised in. During that dark time, Rensch still mustered the ingenuity to make Chess.com a reality-and his livelihood was hinging on it."

Danny Rensch launched Chess.com amid severe personal turmoil and professional uncertainty, including threats to his chess career and marital strain. Rensch credits a measure of self-delusion and unwavering belief in an unrealized vision as essential to building the platform. Chess.com now serves about 235 million players, hosts roughly 26 million matches daily, and exceeds 800 million monthly interactions. Top grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura use the site. The company surpassed a $1 billion valuation in 2023 without venture capital. Necessity and ingenuity drove the platform’s early survival and growth.

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