Nigerian Chess Champion Breaks Guinness World Record in Times Square

Nigerian Chess Champion Plays 60-Hour Marathon in Times Square to Break Guinness World Record

Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, made history in New York City’s Times Square by playing a nonstop chess game for 60 hours straight. His goal? To break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon and raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa.

The 29-year-old player exceeded his initial target of 58 hours and continued playing until he reached the 60-hour mark early Saturday morning. This feat surpassed the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.

Onakoya’s attempt was closely followed by supporters online and on the scene, where a mix of African music kept the atmosphere lively. Among the spectators cheering him on was Nigerian music star Davido.

Playing against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, Onakoya adhered to Guinness World Record guidelines that required two players to continuously play for the entire duration of the attempt. For every hour of gameplay, the players were only allowed five minutes of break time, which Onakoya used to interact with supporters and refuel with water and jollof rice.

The record-breaking attempt was not only a personal achievement for Onakoya but also a mission to support the education of millions of children in Africa through his organization, Chess in Slums Africa. With a goal of educating at least 1 million children in slums across the continent, Onakoya’s dedication to this cause has garnered support from global leaders, celebrities, and passersby who donated a total of $22,000 within the first 20 hours of the attempt.

As Onakoya’s energy remained high throughout the marathon, he emphasized the importance of providing education to children in need. In a country where over 10 million school-age children are not enrolled in school, his record-breaking effort serves as a symbol of hope and inspiration for the youth in Nigeria and beyond.

With the Guinness World Record organization yet to confirm the new record, Onakoya’s remarkable achievement stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children through the power of chess and education.