Chess champion, Tunde Onakoya set to break record with 70-hour challenge

Nigerian chess champion and education advocate Tunde Onakoya is gearing up for another historic feat as he attempts to break the world record for the longest chess marathon — aiming for 70 hours of non-stop chess at Times Square, New York, from April 17 to April 20.

Onakoya, founder of the Chess in Slums Africa initiative, will partner with U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez in the ambitious attempt to surpass the current official record of 61 hours recently set by two Norwegian players.

But for Onakoya, this record attempt is about more than just chess. His mission is to inspire the world and raise support to build the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.

“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he shared.

As part of the event, several children trained through his Chess in Slums Africa program will join him briefly during the marathon to showcase their skills and resilience, proving that “great things can come from small places.”

Onakoya also extended an open invitation to chess enthusiasts across New York City to come challenge him and his team during the event.

This attempt follows Onakoya’s remarkable performance in April 2024, when he broke the previous Guinness World Record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, held by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad since 2018. In that marathon, Onakoya and Martinez clocked an incredible 60-hour session.

With this next 70-hour challenge, Onakoya hopes to push the limits once again — not just for the record books but for the future of Nigerian children without access to education.

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