Nigerian chess champion and child education activist Tunde Onakoya broke. The record for the longest chess marathon, playing nonstop. For an astounding sixty hours under Times Square’s bright lights.
Onakoya’s attempt, which can take weeks to validate. Has not yet been confirmed by the Guinness World Record organization. But the 29-year-old is already regarded as something of a national hero by many Nigerians.
In order to fund an organization that supports children’s education throughout Africa. Onakoya is trying to raise $1 million.
His goal was to play for 58 hours, but he kept going until early on Saturday morning. Reaching the 60-hour mark and breaking the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes. And 37 seconds set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
With the words, “We’re pushing to 60 hours, guys,”. Onakoya declared his intention to play for longer on X, formerly known as Twitter. We won’t give up just yet. Let’s proceed. In order to support the education of African children worldwide. We need to reach our fundraising target. This is the reason we are doing this, our why.
In compliance with the Guinness World Record regulations. Which stipulate that any attempt to break the record must be made by two players. Who play continuously for the duration, Onakoya faced off. Against US chess champion Shawn Martinez.
Driven by Afrobeats music, messages of solidarity from all over the world. And Nigerian jollof rice, Onakoya defeated Martinez in every game. Singer Adekunle Gold and Nigerian Afrobeats icon Davido were among those. Who showed up in Manhattan to support him.
In a statement shared by his assistant Ajuri Ngelale. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu was among those congratulating Onakoya. On his accomplishment, praising him for “setting a new world chess record. And sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief. And ingenuity at the square of global acclaim.”
“I applaud this Nigerian chess champion and the creator of Chess in Slums Africa. For his extraordinary achievement, but more than anything. For the motivation behind this inspiring act of selflessness—raising money. To support African youth’s access to education and opportunity through chess,” Tinubu continued.
The game attracted a lot of interest in Nigeria and was aired in several locations in Lagos. The capital city, with watch parties and electronic billboards. Onakoya established Chess in Slums Africa in Lagos with the goal of empowering kids. From disadvantaged neighborhoods through the game of chess. Which develops their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
