Post Tourney Reporting and Looking Ahead...
I know, I know... I promised you all a post-tourney blog after the Northern California International and I TOTALLY dropped the ball 
! Truth be told, I think I have an easier time blogging right after and event that goes badly... Likely my need/addiction to negative attention 
... I've been told it has to do with my relationship with my mother...
In any case, the Nor-Cali event went really well. I gained rating points, finished with 6 out of 9 (which was just shy of a GM Norm) and I definitely felt like I was "hitting my stride" towards the end. Here are my last few games from the tourney (all with some analysis to make up for the late blog) -- and they are in order, which hopefully tells the story of my "progress" with each game:
) at the end of an event like this is motivation to "keep working the mojo".
) over 15 years ago... Rensch Law (my Dad's Firm), Chess.com and ChessKid.com are also helping to sponsor the event. I am looking forward to it! Here is the list of players (almost all the top guys in Arizona) and the pairings as well... Wish me luck!!!- Molner, M. — IM USCF 2520
- Rensch, D. — IM USCF 2478
- Banawa, J. — IM USCF 2444
- Ginsburg, M. — IM USCF 2406
- Mohandesi, S. — IM USCF 2365
- Atoufi, P. — FM USCF 2299
| # | Name/Rtng/ID | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 |
| 1 | MACKENZIE MOLNER | W 2 | B 4 | W 3 | B 5 | W 6 |
| 2520 12662506 | ||||||
| 2 | JOEL BANAWA | B 1 | W 6 | B 4 | W 3 | W 5 |
| 2444 12922625 | ||||||
| 3 | DANIEL M RENSCH | W 6 | W 5 | B 1 | B 2 | W 4 |
| 2478 12659833 | ||||||
| 4 | MARK GINSBURG | B 5 | W 1 | W 2 | B 6 | B 3 |
| 2406 10172918 | ||||||
| 5 | PEDRAM ATOUFI | W 4 | B 3 | B 6 | W 1 | B 2 |
| 2299 12882025 | ||||||
| 6 | SHAHIN MOHANDESI | B 3 | B 2 | W 5 | W 4 | B 1 |
| 2365 14812351 |
Danny Rensch is an international master and Chief Chess Officer at Chess.com. After a successful scholastic chess career, Danny joined Chess.com as a co-founder in 2009. He directs the company's content, media partnerships, and professional chess events. Danny is an accomplished commentator and broadcaster, which he used to establish Chess.com's streaming and creator programs. He has channeled his lifelong passion for playing and teaching chess to advance Chess.com's mission of growing the game and helping people enjoy their lives through chess. With over 200 million registered users, Chess.com is the leading platform for playing and learning chess.
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Company Address: P.O. Box 60400 Palo Alto, CA 94306
Company Phone: 1 (800) 318-2827
Read “Dark Squares,” Danny’s Highly Anticipated Memoir
Danny Rensch has released his highly anticipated memoir on September 16, 2025. Described as Educated meets The Queen’s Gambit, this powerful and deeply personal book dives into his upbringing in an abusive cult and how chess ended up saving his life.
