Tunde Onakoya breaks Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon

Tunde Onakoya breaks Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon

Nigerian chess enthusiast Tunde Onakoya has etched his name in history by shattering the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous milestone of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds achieved by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

Onakoya’s remarkable achievement unfolded at 7:39 pm EST (12:39 am WAT), marking a staggering 56 hours and 10 minutes of continuous gameplay since the commencement of the chess marathon at 11:30 am EST (4:30 pm WAT) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Joined by his fellow chess aficionado Shawn Martinez from the United States, Onakoya’s resolve knows no bounds as he sets his sights on extending the record to an unprecedented 58 hours, with plans to stretch it further to an exhaustive 60 hours, accommodating any potential interruptions. Their relentless chess battles in the heart of Times Square, New York City, have captivated the attention and garnered the support of not only Nigerians but also residents of the bustling metropolis. Impressively, Onakoya remains unbeaten even after navigating through more than 200 intense games.

Yet, beyond the pursuit of Guinness glory, Onakoya’s mission transcends the chessboard. He harbors a noble ambition to raise a substantial sum of $1 million to champion education initiatives for underprivileged children across the African continent. Through the noble efforts of his non-profit organization, Chess in Slums Africa, coupled with the philanthropic arm known as The Gift of Chess, Onakoya has already managed to amass over $81,000 in donations, courtesy of the generosity displayed by both individuals and organizations alike.

The outpouring of support for Onakoya’s audacious endeavor has been nothing short of phenomenal, with millions of Nigerians and supporters worldwide rallying behind him as he steadily approaches the monumental 58-hour mark. Broadcasting his epic battles to the world, Onakoya’s games are being streamed live on popular platforms like Tittify and Twitch, drawing in excess of 500 concurrent viewers.

Notably, Onakoya’s quest for greatness has received resounding endorsements from a plethora of distinguished figures within Nigeria, including former vice presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar, Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun, esteemed businessman Tony Elumelu, music icon Davido, and a host of other luminaries, further amplifying the fervor surrounding his historic feat.