Nigerian Chess Champion Breaks Guinness World Record with 60-Hour Marathon in Times Square
Nigerian Chess Champion Breaks Guinness World Record with 60-Hour Marathon in Times Square
NEW YORK (AP) — Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, made history in New York City’s Times Square by playing chess nonstop for 60 hours to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The 29-year-old Onakoya embarked on this record-breaking attempt with the goal of raising $1 million for children’s education across Africa. Starting on Wednesday, he initially aimed to play for 58 hours but pushed himself to reach the 60-hour mark at about 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set in 2018.
Playing against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, Onakoya adhered to Guinness World Record guidelines that required two players to continuously play throughout the entire duration. The event drew a crowd of supporters and onlookers, with Nigerian music star Davido among those cheering him on.
Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018, emphasized that the record attempt was not just about breaking records but about supporting the education of millions of children in African slums. His organization aims to provide educational opportunities for at least 1 million children across the continent.
Throughout the marathon, Onakoya sustained his energy with lots of water and jollof rice, a popular West African dish. Despite the grueling schedule that allowed only five minutes of break for every hour of gameplay, he remained upbeat and engaged with supporters, even joining in their dances during breaks.
The event garnered significant support, with $22,000 raised within the first 20 hours. Onakoya’s manager, Taiwo Adeyemi, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Nigerians in the U.S., global leaders, celebrities, and passersby.
In Nigeria, where Onakoya regularly organizes chess competitions for underprivileged youth, his record attempt was closely followed. With over 10 million school-age children out of school in the country, his efforts to promote education and empowerment have resonated with many, including public figures like former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
As the Guinness World Record organization reviews and confirms Onakoya’s achievement, his remarkable feat serves as a testament to the power of determination and the impact of supporting education for marginalized communities.