Chess Champion Tunde Onakoya Breaks World Record in Lagos, Nigeria

Chess prodigy Tunde Onakoya breaks world record in marathon game, inspiring chess enthusiasts in Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria – Tunde Onakoya, a 29-year-old Nigerian chess prodigy, made headlines around the world when he broke the world record for the longest marathon chess game, lasting an impressive 60 hours. Onakoya’s feat took place in New York’s Times Square in April, where he faced off against American chess champion Shawn Martinez to raise funds for his Chess in Slums project, which aims to help children across Africa.

The record-breaking event drew a crowd of enthusiasts and media in New York, while back home in Nigeria, including the president, there was an outpouring of support for Onakoya online. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu praised the chess champion for his rare feat and the noble cause behind it, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for youth to explore their abilities.

Despite the renewed passion for chess sparked by Onakoya’s achievement, small chess clubs and schools in low-income areas of Lagos, such as Ojodu Berger, face challenges due to lack of state support. Mohammed Azeez, who runs the Milverton Chess Academy in his parents’ house, struggles with limited resources and space to teach children the game.

Azeez, who started playing chess over two decades ago, is dedicated to sharing his knowledge with the younger generation, even though he faces obstacles like having only two boards for dozens of kids to share. Despite the lack of facilities and opportunities, Azeez remains committed to teaching chess, believing in the game’s ability to teach logic, philosophy, psychology, and mathematics.

Onakoya’s record-breaking achievement has inspired Azeez to continue his efforts, despite the challenges he faces. Many parents now bring their children to him to learn chess, hoping that the game will provide opportunities for their families. However, the lack of resources and support means that talented players like Dotun, who excelled in chess but couldn’t afford a chessboard, struggle to pursue their passion.

The Nigerian Chess Federation also faces funding challenges, relying on donations and sponsorships to support chess activities in the country. With limited government funding for chess, grassroots initiatives like Onakoya’s Guinness World Record attempt play a crucial role in promoting the game and achieving humanitarian goals.

Stakeholders in the chess community advocate for the inclusion of chess in the Nigerian educational curriculum, believing that it can improve academic performance and develop various skills in children. Despite the challenges, Azeez remains determined to teach chess and nurture world-class talents, hoping for support to alleviate the burden he faces.

As the chess community in Lagos continues to grow, fueled by Onakoya’s inspiring achievement, the need for support and resources for grassroots initiatives like the Milverton Chess Academy becomes increasingly apparent. With the passion and dedication of individuals like Azeez, the future of chess in Nigeria looks promising, but it will require collective effort and investment to realize its full potential.