Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous milestone set at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
Onakoya achieved this feat at 7:39 PM EST (12:39 AM WAT), marking 56 minutes and 10 seconds since the chess marathon began at 11:30 AM EST (4:30 PM WAT) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Teaming up with US chess master Shawn Martinez, Onakoya is still going strong and aims to set a new world record of 58 hours, which he plans to extend to 60 hours to accommodate any interruptions.
They’ve been engaged in a continuous game of chess in Times Square, New York City, for over 56 hours, garnering attention and support from Nigerians and New Yorkers alike. Onakoya remains undefeated after playing more than 200 games.
Onakoya sees the Guinness World Record attempt as a platform to raise $1 million in support of children in underprivileged communities across Africa, ensuring they have access to education. “We’re doing this to raise funds for our project to be able to give millions of children with access to education the opportunity they deserve to learn. Let us raise the money that is needed so all of this won’t be in vain. We’re doing this to the very end, we started already. The rest is just a matter of tenacity,”he expressed.
Through his non-profit organization, Chess in Slums Africa, and charity organization, The Gift of Chess, Onakoya has already raised over $81,000, thanks to the generous contributions from individuals and organizations.
Onakoya’s pursuit of the world record has garnered widespread recognition from supportive individuals and millions of Nigerians worldwide, who continue to cheer him on as he approaches the 58-hour mark. His games are live-streamed on platforms like Tittify and Twitch, attracting over 500 concurrent viewers.
Notably, Onakoya has received endorsements for success from some of Nigeria’s elites, including former vice presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar, Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun, Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, popular Nigerian artist Davido, and others.
