The Cult of Chess

Sounds Like A Cult

Studio71

Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Education

3.9 • 4.4K Ratings

🗓️ 26 May 2026

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The timer starts now, cultie. This week’s cult is one that some find boring, some find thrilling, and some particularly fell into via a certain Netflix show starring Anya Taylor Joy (guilty). Whichever way you slice it, we can assure you the world of chess is far cultier than the cute little horsies would have you think. Whether you’re a total noob or grandmaster status, this week’s conversation with chess expert and cult survivor Danny Rensch (@dannyrensch) will have you on the edge of your seat. Come along with Reese as she looks beyond the cute academia aesthetic and into the strategic and not-so-black-and-white cult of chess. Subscribe to Sounds Like A Cult on Youtube!Follow us on IG @soundslikeacultpod, @amanda_montell, @reesaronii, @chelseaxcharles, @imanharirikia. To pre-order Iman's new book, Once in a Timeline, click here! Thank you to our sponsors! For free shipping on your order and 365-day returns, Head to https://Quince.com/slac Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠https://BollAndBranch.com/slac⁠⁠ with code slac. Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Colties, let me tell you what. Lately, I've been trying to get out of the cult of impulse shopping
0:04.1	and just be a little bit more intentional about the clothing and home decor items that I am purchasing.
0:09.4	And you want to know one brand that I absolutely never regret patronizing Quince. I am wearing a Quince
0:16.3	Waffle robe right now. I feel like I'm in a luxury hotel, but I'm just in my house. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com slash S-L-A-C for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com slash S-L-A-C for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com slash SLAC.
0:38.7	Okay, Colties, I recently made a tweak to my lifestyle. I updated my bedding.
0:43.8	After years of sleeping on threadbare quilts and nonsense sheets, I discovered Bowlin Branch.
0:50.7	And I am so excited they're sponsoring this episode of Sounds Like a Colt.
0:53.9	Bull and Branch makes the entire bed, high-quality cotton sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters. Replacing my bedding with Bowling Branch has made my bedroom feel like a sanctuary. Get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping during the Memorial Day Sale at boll and branchanch.com slash SLAC with code SLAC.
1:13.0	That's Boll and B-O-N-D branch.com slash S-L-L-L-A-C to get 20% off.
1:20.3	BullenBranch.com slash S-L-A-C, code S-L-L-A-C. Exclusions apply.
1:24.7	The views expressed on this episode, as with all episodes of Sounds Like a
1:27.9	cult, are solely host opinions and quoted allegations. The content here should not be taken as
1:32.7	indisputable fact. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. An us versus them dichotomy
1:39.1	is a thriving key feature of most cults. Is this something that you see at all reflected in chess?
1:45.5	I think that's one of the ones that is like prevalent, not just within chess versus other
1:50.3	games, but it's also really prevalent within the chess community. This doesn't have to be a game
1:55.7	that is only played by the most intellectually elite of our species for seven hours at a time
2:00.4	by old white guys in a room,
2:02.2	blowing cigar smoke.
2:03.5	Now you have a lot of people as a part of the growth of the game in a much more just kind of
2:07.9	fun and open way.
2:09.3	And it's not something that has been welcomed or supported by the old guard, if you will.
	...

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