Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, is currently undertaking a challenge: to exceed the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The current record is held by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway, who surpassed the previous holder on November 11, 2018, with a duration of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Tunde Onakoya commenced the marathon on April 17 in New York City’s Times Square and has played for nearly 21 hours straight, unbeaten, including one against New York’s National Chess Master, Shawn Martinez.
Onakoya’s manager, known as Taiwo (handle: OgaBoxx), shared that Onakoya is playing two sets of games simultaneously, with the primary focus on his match against Shawn Martinez. The secondary set involves games against random opponents, but these matches do not count towards the record. Onakoya must not lose any games in either set.
The event has gained significant attention and support from Nigerians both at home and abroad, including dignitaries like Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Messages of encouragement and support have flooded in from various individuals and organizations, including the US Mission in Nigeria and the UK in Nigeria.
Both Atiku Abubakar and Babajide Sanwo-Olu publicly expressed their support for Onakoya’s pursuit via social media platforms. Atiku praised Onakoya’s determination and can-do spirit, while Sanwo-Olu remarked on the significance of taking Onakoya’s work with young children in Lagos to a global stage.
Overall, Onakoya’s attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon has attracted widespread attention and support, both locally and internationally.
Through the marathon, he hopes to raise a million dollars for his project Chess in Slums which improves the lives of children living in slums through the game of chess.
