New York, USA — Nigerian chess champion and social impact advocate, Tunde Onakoya, has embarked on an ambitious 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York City, in a renewed bid to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest continuous chess game.
The event, which kicked off Thursday amid cheers from a growing crowd of supporters, is not merely a quest for global recognition. It is part of a broader mission: raising funds to provide free education for homeless children in Nigeria through his non-profit, Chess in Slums Africa.
Onakoya, who rose from modest beginnings to become a celebrated figure in the global chess community, is permitted only five-minute breaks every hour, as stipulated by GWR rules. His goal is not just to endure, but to remain undefeated for the duration of the 70-hour challenge.
In a video posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Onakoya counted down to the start of the marathon, surrounded by well-wishers and a group of five children from his initiative—young talents who symbolize the power of education, opportunity, and resilience.
“They’ve shown us it’s possible to do great things from small places,” Onakoya said, reflecting on their journey.
This attempt follows a 60-hour chess session in April 2024, completed alongside American chess master Shawn Martinez, which surpassed the then-official record of 56 hours set in 2018 by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad. Despite their marathon performance, GWR did not certify the effort. Instead, the record was later credited to Norwegians Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, who clocked in at 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Now, Onakoya and Martinez are back—this time aiming to push the limit even further.
If successful, the record will be a landmark achievement not only in the world of chess, but in the larger narrative of African youth empowerment and education. For Onakoya, this is about more than strategy and stamina—it’s a game of hope.
