2nd Annual Death Match Qualifier!

2nd Annual Death Match Qualifier!

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| 19 | Chess.com News

It's here! The 2nd Annual Death Match Qualifier will take place from April 1st-May 1st, and will determine the participants for the 15th Chess.com Death Match - to be held on Sunday, June 9th!

As of May 1st, the highest-rated active blitz player and the highest-rated active bullet player on Chess.com will be invited to participate in June's Death Match. Should either player decline, the invitation will be extended to the next highest rated player in that category (blitz/bullet), until the match-up is set.

Here are the requirements for eligibility:

  • Qualifiers must play a minimum of 100 rated blitz (or 100 bullet) games played between April 1st - May 1st in order to be considered active;
  • Qualifiers cannot have previously competed in a Death Match;
  • Qualifiers must be available to play the Death Match on June 9th;

You may remember our first qualifier? 

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That led to the great matchup between IM Conrad Holt and IM Eric Hansen! Click here for the news recap of that exciting match.

Cheaters beware! As usual, Chess.com will run extensive cheat detection and anyone who uses computer assistance of any kind will be permanently banned from the site. 

We hope to see a fierce competition, and don't forget to check out the 12th Chess.com Death Match between GM Ipatov and GM Arnold on March 30th!

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IM Daniel Rensch

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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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.

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