By Happiness Edeawe
Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has embarked on a remarkable endeavor to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous chess marathon.
The event commenced on Thursday at New York City’s Times Square, where Onakoya aims to play chess non-stop for 70 hours without a single defeat.
According to Guinness World Records guidelines, participants are allowed a five-minute break for every hour of play, which can be accumulated for longer rest periods.
Onakoya’s attempt is not solely about personal achievement; it serves a greater purpose of raising funds to establish free schools for homeless children across Nigeria, aligning with the mission of his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa.
This is not Onakoya’s first attempt at such a feat. In April 2024, he played a 60-hour chess session with American chess master Shawn Martinez, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
However, the Guinness World Records did not officially recognize this attempt. Subsequently, Norwegians Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn were acknowledged for a 61-hour, 3-minute, and 34-second marathon.
Determined to officially claim the record, Onakoya announced his renewed attempt, once again partnering with Martinez, aiming for an unprecedented 70-hour session. Accompanying him are five children from his Chess in Slums Africa program, exemplifying the potential for greatness regardless of one’s beginnings.
Onakoya’s initiative has garnered significant attention and support, including commendations from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who praised his resilience and commitment to education. The ongoing marathon has also attracted global media coverage, highlighting the impact of combining sportsmanship with social cheese
As the marathon progresses, supporters worldwide continue to rally behind Onakoya’s mission, contributing to the broader goal of transforming lives through education and the game of chess.
Read Also: Tinubu’s Policies Driving Billionaire Growth — TMSG
