Nigerian Chess Prodigy Tunde Onakoya Shatters Global Record with 60-Hour Marathon for Charity

NewYork, United States-In an awe-inspiring display of stamina and skill, 29-year-old Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has officially set a new world record for the longest continuous chess game.

Onakoya played for an unbroken 60 hours in New York City’s bustling Times Square, all to raise funds for underprivileged children's education in Africa.

Beginning his monumental game last Wednesday, Onakoya initially aimed to surpass the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

However, spurred on by an overwhelming show of support, he extended his play to reach the 60-hour mark by early Saturday morning.

Amidst the challenge, Onakoya expressed a mixture of exhaustion and elation. "I can't process a lot of the emotions I feel right now. I don’t have the right words for them. But I know we did something truly remarkable," he commented to the AFP news agency.

Reflecting on a particularly challenging moment around 3 a.m., he shared, "Nigerians travelled from all over the world. And they were with me overnight. We were singing and dancing together, and I couldn't just give up on them."

The event was not just a test of physical and mental endurance but also a significant charitable effort. Onakoya faced off against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, adhering to the stringent guidelines set by the Guinness World Records, which dictate that record attempts must involve two players competing continuously.

For every hour played, each contestant was allowed a mere five-minute break, often used by Onakoya to engage with the crowd of supporters who gathered to watch the spectacle.

Onakoya, who is renowned in Nigeria for his Chess in Slums initiative, launched in 2018, uses the game of chess as a tool for social change. His project aims to provide marginalized youth with opportunities to learn chess as a means to foster critical thinking and escape poverty.

This record attempt was also a fundraiser, and within the first 20 hours, it had already raised $22,000.

The Nigerian president, Bola Tinubu, lauded Onakoya’s achievement, praising him for showcasing "Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity" and for demonstrating the "audacity to make good change happen."

As of now, the Guinness World Records has not yet confirmed the new record, a process that can sometimes take several weeks. Regardless, Onakoya's achievement has already resonated widely, proving that even from "corners of disadvantage," profound impact is possible.