On Saturday, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game. The event took place in the heart of New York City’s Times Square and received global attention from chess enthusiasts and supporters. On his official X account, Onakoya confirmed his new record with a celebratory post, saying, “We have done it.”
Onakoya recently participated in a marathon chess match that was not only aimed at setting new records, but also to raise funds and awareness for educational opportunities for underprivileged children across Africa. He surpassed the previous record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who had held the record for 56 hours and 9 minutes since 2018. Onakoya reached 58 hours and aims to push beyond that and reach a 60-hour target.
“We’re not stopping yet guys, keep pushing to 60 hours,” wrote Onakoya, urging his supporters to maintain the momentum. His campaign is fueled by a strong passion for using his skills to contribute to educational causes, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of love to bring about change.
Onakoya was joined in this remarkable endeavor by Shawn Martinez, a U.S. National Master and renowned chess coach from New York City, known for his formidable chess prowess. The challenge required the teamwork of both players, with each holding the title of National Master, to set this new world record. Their collaborative effort began after Onakoya had already been playing for about 23 hours, demonstrating not only physical stamina but also intense mental focus.
Chess in Slums Africa, through Onakoya’s foundation, has released a statement elaborating on the significance of an upcoming event. The statement explains that the event will involve a record attempt which requires a team of two players. Tunde Onakoya from Nigeria will be competing against Shawn Martinez from the United States for the challenge. Both players will hold the record title, highlighting the collaborative nature of the record-setting attempt and its potential impact on children’s education.
As word of Onakoya’s achievement circulated, notable personalities from Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and popular musicians Davido and Adekunle Gold, showed their support. This diverse range of supporters highlights the national pride that Onakoya has instilled and the widespread recognition of his efforts to leverage chess as a tool for social betterment.
