Tunde Onakoya Breaks Chess World Record

Tunde Onakoya, renowned Nigerian chess master and social entrepreneur, has made history once again by surpassing the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

The 30-year-old, along with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez and five children from Nigerian slums, played continuously for over 62 hours in New York’s Times Square breaking the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by Norwegian players in June 2024.

Onakoya aims to reach an unprecedented 70 hours by April 20, 2025, with the broader goal of raising $1 million to build Nigeria’s largest tuition-free school for homeless children.

The event, which began on April 17, has captured global attention. Thousands have tuned in via Chess.com and gathered in Times Square to witness the feat. Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, announced on X:
“We’ve officially broken the record! But we’re not stopping—70 hours for the kids who dare to dream.”

In partnership with The Gift of Chess, ChessKid, and the Nigerian community in New York, the event highlights Onakoya’s commitment to using chess as a transformative tool for education and empowerment.

Raised in Ikorodu, Lagos, Onakoya’s journey began in poverty. He discovered chess in a local barbershop and advanced his skills at a private school where his mother worked as a cleaner to support his education. A former national chess champion, Onakoya pivoted toward social impact in 2018 when he founded Chess in Slums Africa. His initiative teaches literacy and critical thinking to children in underprivileged communities like Makoko and Oshodi.

To date, his nonprofit has touched the lives of over 10,000 children, with more than 500 receiving lifetime scholarships.

This marks Onakoya’s second world-record-breaking attempt. In April 2024, he played for 60 hours in Times Square, breaking the previous record and spotlighting childhood education in Africa. Despite facing extreme physical exhaustion including stomach pain and vomiting he persisted. He was encouraged by visits from Afrobeats stars Davido and Adekunle Gold, as well as messages from Nigerian leaders, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

President Bola Tinubu celebrated his 2024 effort as
“a testament to Nigeria’s ingenious youth.”

The 2025 marathon carries a more personal touch. Onakoya invited five children from Nigerian slums to join him at the event, symbolizing his message that
“no dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty.”

Among them was 10-year-old Ade, a student of Chess in Slums, who joined Onakoya at the board and received enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
“These kids are my why,” Onakoya told reporters.
“Chess gave me purpose; I want it to give them a future.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the effort, saying:
“Tunde’s resilience embodies Lagos’ spirit. His work is transforming lives.”
Support has also come from corporate sponsors and individual donors, including ChessKid, with over $500,000 raised by April 20 and contributions still coming in.

Despite the intensity of the challenge and limited rest periods allowed under Guinness World Records’ strict rules, Onakoya remains undeterred. The Nigerian community in New York provided an uplifting atmosphere with music, dancing, and chants. Online, the momentum has grown under hashtags like #Tunde70 and #ChessForChange, with many praising him as “Africa’s pride.”

Beyond the chessboard, Onakoya’s impact is wide-reaching. A TEDx speaker and Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 honoree, he’s slated to speak at Harvard, MIT, and Johns Hopkins in 2025. His story continues to inspire countless individuals around the world, demonstrating that talent and perseverance can overcome any hardship.

As he edges closer to the 70-hour goal, Onakoya remains focused on the mission behind the marathon:
“For every move I make, I’m thinking of the kids back home,” he said, his gaze locked on the chessboard.
“This is for them.”