Nigerian Chess Champion Aims to Break Global Record for Longest Chess Marathon in Times Square
Tunde Onakoya, a 29-year-old Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, is currently attempting to break the global record for the longest chess marathon in New York City‘s iconic Times Square.
Onakoya hopes to play chess nonstop for 58 hours, aiming to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa during the marathon.
Playing chess in Times Square
Playing against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, Onakoya had already played for 42 hours by Friday morning. The current record stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, achieved by Norwegian players in 2018.
Support for Onakoya’s record attempt is growing both online and at the scene, with a blend of African music keeping onlookers entertained. The event has already raised $22,000 within the first 20 hours, with support coming from Nigerians in the U.S., global leaders, celebrities, and passersby.
Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018, aims to support the education of at least 1 million children in slums across the continent. His attempt is being closely followed in Nigeria, where he regularly organizes chess competitions for young people living on the streets to boost his cause.
World Chess record will be broken
Celebrities and public office holders, including Nigeria’s former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, have publicly supported Onakoya in his record-breaking endeavor. The Guinness World Record organization has yet to comment on the attempt, but if successful, Onakoya’s marathon could reach 58 hours by midnight on Friday.