Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. Alongside U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, Onakoya surpassed the previous record of 61 hours on Sunday, achieving an impressive 62-hour mark.
Their new target is to go beyond 70 hours, striving for an even more remarkable accomplishment.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Onakoya shared his excitement: “For all the dreamers! We’ve officially broken the record!”
But for him, the marathon is about more than just setting records—it’s a mission to raise awareness and funds to build Nigeria’s largest free school for homeless children.
The chess marathon kicked off on Wednesday, April 17, in Times Square, New York City.
By the time they crossed the 50-hour mark, Onakoya had already made it clear that this effort was bigger than the game itself. His true aim is to inspire and rally support for children who have never had the opportunity for a better future.
Onakoya shared an inspiring message during the marathon: “If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do? Sometimes, you have to carve it out of your own breath, your own becoming. Not for applause. Not for records. But for the quiet dreamers who need to see someone leap—so they know it’s possible to fly.”
He added, “Every move, every hour, a love letter to children who’ve never known the luxury of a second chance. If your heart has ever burned for something bigger than yourself, come find us. Stand with us.”
This marks Onakoya’s second attempt at the prestigious world record.
In April 2024, he completed a 60-hour marathon alongside Martinez, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours set in 2018.
However, the achievement was short-lived, as a pair of Norwegian players set a new record of 61 hours just two months later.
Now, a year later, Onakoya and Martinez are back, determined to reclaim the title and set a new world record.
SEE POST:
RECORD BROKEN! One Board A Million Dreams! 62 Hours ONGOING ❤️ 🇳🇬
with my brother @CoachShawnMar 🇵🇷@chessinslums #70HoursofChessWithTunde#ChessForEducation #GWR2025 pic.twitter.com/g60LJRcLkd
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 20, 2025
53 Hours. Time spent is now more than the time left.
We’re past the halfway mark at Times Square @CoachShawnMar
Still playing. Still dreaming. Still believing.
Come stand with us:
📍Broadway Plaza between 47th & 48th Street, just by Olive Garden
Stream • Amplify • and… pic.twitter.com/3cjLfBwF6f
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 19, 2025