Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, played non-stop for 64 hours at Times Square in New York, surpassing the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by two Norwegian players in June 2024.
The marathon, which started on April 17 and ended on April 20, was not just about breaking a record for Onakoya. “We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams,” he said. “Our goal is to build the biggest free preschool in Africa for homeless children.” Onakoya emphasized the importance of support, saying, “The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support.”
Onakoya’s achievement is a testament to his dedication to using chess as a tool for social impact. Through his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, he has provided education and lifelong scholarships to over 200 children across Nigeria. The organization has also distributed one million chess sets to impoverished communities in partnership with The Gift of Chess.
The record-breaking feat drew support from the Nigerian community in New York, with traditional meals like jollof rice and music being shared. Nigerian superstar Davido also showed his support, presenting Onakoya with a 30BG chain. Back in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Onakoya’s achievement, saying it was a symbol of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally.” Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also commended Onakoya, highlighting that the attempt was “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere.”
Onakoya shared a powerful message after receiving the official certificate from Guinness World Records: “It is possible to do great things from a small place.” He also congratulated Martinez on their shared achievement, saying, “Officially amazing! Congrats on our shared achievement Shawn Martinez!”
