Under the beaming lights of New York’s iconic Times Square, Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master, has shattered the previous record for the longest chess marathon. After an astonishing 58 consecutive hours at the board, Onakoya’s determination remains unwavering. His goal? To raise $1 million for charity, specifically to support chess education for millions of children.
Support from the Community
Hundreds of supporters from New York City’s Nigerian community rallied around Onakoya. Among them was Afrobeats star Davido, who cheered him on with music and energized him with classic Nigerian dishes, including the beloved national staple, jollof rice.
Back in Nigeria, people watched Onakoya’s remarkable feat on Twitch, a video-streaming service. Supporters left messages, commending him as an inspiration.
Onakoya’s journey is one of resilience. Growing up in Lagos’s infamous floating slums, he faced overwhelming poverty. But chess became his lifeline.
His non-profit organization, Chess in Slums Africa, teaches the game to children from poor communities, providing both chess skills and educational support.
As a board member of the US non-profit The Gift of Chess, Onakoya aims to distribute one million chess sets to underserved communities by 2030.
Breaking the Record
The previous world record, recognized by Guinness World Records, stood at 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds. It was set by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018. Onakoya, at 29 years old, credits chess with saving him and now uses it to transform lives.
Onakoya continues to play, aiming to push the record to 60 hours.
