Nigerian chess champion and humanitarian, Tunde Onakoya, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, making history once again—this time at the heart of New York City’s Times Square.
Alongside U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, Onakoya pushed past the previous record of 61 hours, achieving an extraordinary 62 hours of continuous play.
Now, both men are aiming for a staggering 70-hour milestone, not for personal glory, but as a rallying cry for a greater cause: education for Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.
Shortly after surpassing the record, an emotional Onakoya took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the historic moment. “For all the dreamers! We’ve officially broken the record!” he declared.
But the marathon wasn’t simply about making headlines or etching a name into the record books. For Onakoya, who is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, this effort is deeply rooted in advocacy and purpose.
Every move across the chessboard represents hope for the thousands of homeless and underserved children in Nigeria who lack access to quality education.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, after more than 50 hours of non-stop gameplay under the bright lights of Times Square, Onakoya shared a powerful reflection on social media.
“If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do?” he began. “Sometimes the world won’t hand you 70 hours on a golden platter. 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.”
His words resonated deeply, reflecting the essence of the challenge: turning endurance into empowerment.
The marathon began on Wednesday, April 17, and is expected to conclude on Sunday, April 20. Set against the buzzing, ever-lit backdrop of Times Square, the challenge has captivated global audiences both online and in-person.
Throughout the event, Onakoya and Martinez demonstrated incredible physical and mental strength, taking only brief rest periods, as required by Guinness World Record rules.
Each match played wasn’t merely a test of strategy—it was a symbolic act of resistance against poverty, exclusion, and hopelessness.
At one point, the challenge became even more emotional when Shawn Martinez’s wife arrived at the venue with their newborn twins.
The sight of the tiny children amidst the intense marathon added a heartwarming dimension to the record attempt. “Seeing them here reminds me of why we’re doing this,” Martinez said, holding one of the infants.
“We want to create a world where every child—no matter where they’re born—has a chance to thrive.” The moment underscored the deeply personal stakes at play, even as the competitors chased a global achievement.
Children also played a special role during the marathon, as several were invited to sit across the board and play a few games alongside the masters.
This gesture was more than symbolic—it aligned with Onakoya’s mission of using chess as a tool for education and transformation. “Every child who touches a chess piece unlocks a new possibility,” Onakoya said. “They begin to see strategy, patience, and self-belief. This game saved me, and I believe it can help save many others.”
This wasn’t Onakoya’s first attempt at the prestigious record. Back in April 2024, he and Martinez completed a 60-hour chess marathon, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
However, just two months later, in June 2024, a new record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds was set by another pair of Norwegian players.
Though their attempt was valiant, Onakoya and Martinez lost the title as quickly as they had won it—making this new challenge all the more personal and urgent.
Determined to reclaim the crown and make an even bolder statement, the duo returned one year later with an even more ambitious goal: 70 hours of continuous chess.
For Onakoya, every hour spent at the board is fuelled by a larger vision. He’s currently fundraising to build the largest free, tuition-free school for homeless children in Nigeria—a dream he’s nurtured for years.
“No child should ever have their childhood sacrificed for survival,” he wrote. “No dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty.”
To help support this cause, Onakoya launched a limited edition line of chess sets, with proceeds going directly toward the school project.
He has also called on donors, dreamers, and changemakers around the world to stand with him. “If your heart has ever burned for something bigger than yourself, come find us. Stand with us,” he urged.
The chess marathon is only part of the story; the real goal is sustainable change in the lives of children who’ve been forgotten by systems meant to protect them.
As the countdown continues toward the 70-hour finish line, the world watches with admiration. Onakoya and Martinez’s feat is more than a test of endurance—it’s a testament to the power of purpose-driven action.
Under the glow of Times Square, they’ve shown that the most powerful moves aren’t just on the chessboard—they’re the ones that move people, shift narratives, and create space for others to rise.
See photos below:
