Tunde Onakoya, a 29-year-old Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, recently attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in New York City’s Times Square. Onakoya played chess continuously for 60 hours, surpassing the current record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
The record attempt, which began on Wednesday, aims to raise $1 million for children’s education across Africa. Onakoya played against American chess champion Shawn Martinez, in accordance with Guinness World Record guidelines that require two players to play continuously for the entire duration.
Throughout the event, support grew both online and at the scene, with African music entertaining onlookers and supporters, including Nigerian music star Davido. Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slums Africa in 2018, stated that the record attempt is “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.” His organization aims to support the education of at least 1 million children in slums across the continent.
Onakoya maintained his energy levels with water and jollof rice, a popular West African dish. The players were allowed only five minutes’ break for every hour of play, which they sometimes grouped together. During these breaks, Onakoya interacted with supporters and even joined in their dancing.
Within the first 20 hours of the attempt, $22,000 was raised, according to Onakoya’s manager, Taiwo Adeyemi. The attempt garnered significant attention in Nigeria, where Onakoya regularly organizes chess competitions for young people living on the streets. Nigeria has one of the world’s highest rates of out-of-school children, with more than 10 million school-age children not attending school.
Onakoya received public support from celebrities and public office holders, including Nigeria’s former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who wrote on the social media platform X, “Remember your own powerful words: ‘It is possible to do great things from a small place.'”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.