Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has achieved an extraordinary feat, breaking the world record for the longest continuous chess marathon by playing non-stop for 58 hours. This remarkable achievement took place in New York City’s Times Square, surpassing the previous record held by Iranian chess player Pouya Idani.
Throughout the marathon, Onakoya, 30, played without a single loss, showcasing his exceptional skill and endurance. His goal was to raise $1 million to make a transformative impact on the lives of children in Nigeria. The funds will support his philanthropic efforts to provide underprivileged children with access to chess, promoting social change and education.
Onakoya, ranked 25,863rd in the world by the International Chess Federation, has dedicated himself to promoting chess as a tool for social change in Nigeria. His success in breaking the world record has brought attention to his cause, inspiring others to support his mission.
In a social media post, Onakoya confirmed the new record and expressed his determination to continue pushing boundaries, stating, “WE HAVE DONE IT… We’re pushing to 60 hours guys. We’re not stopping yet. Let’s keep going. We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why – the reason we are doing this.”
WE HAVE DONE IT. #LongestChessMarathon #58Hours #RecordBroken #NewRecordSet pic.twitter.com/SjDhOqNpae
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 20, 2024