Nigerian chess maestro and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has officially shattered the world record for the longest chess marathon, playing non-stop for over 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds. The previous record held by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.
Onakoya, joined by U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez, reached the milestone in Times Square, New York, as part of a 70-hour chess marathon aimed not just at setting records but raising awareness and support for street children in Nigeria.
The epic feat, which began on April 17, is already being hailed globally, even as the official confirmation from the Guinness World Records is pending.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) after crossing the previous record, Onakoya wrote, “For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother.”
He dedicated the milestone to the mission of education and opportunity for disadvantaged children, a cause central to his Chess in Slums initiative.
