The Day Leela Changed Computer Chess
What...just...happened!?
When my "engine-obsessed" teammate -- you know who you are, @Pete 
-- gave me a heads up that "Danny, you might wanna check out this game!", I reacted as I normally do: "Pete, these are computers here! I'm watching the Sinquefield Cup!"
Turns out I was wrong to assume the best chess on the planet is currently being played in St. Louis.
I hope you enjoy my breakdown of this legendary performance by the machine-learning engine Lc0, nicknamed "Leela." The game was taken from preliminary testing for an upcoming Chess.com computer chess championship event (more on that next week!).
I analyzed the game deeply (well, took a few hours between yesterday and today) to give my thoughts, and provide some (potentially?) instructive takeaways from the queen of computer chess herself: the legendary Leela!
I hope you took your time working through the game above, and check out my video recap here when you get a chance.
Watch Chess Engine Leela vs Chiron: Computer Chess Championship from Chess on www.twitch.tv
Peace, my Chess.comrades.
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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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.
