Nigerian Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Shatters World Record in Times Square

In a monumental display of endurance and chess mastery, Nigerian chess player Tunde Onakoya has broken the world record for the longest chess marathon.

The event took place in the bustling heart of Times Square, New York, where Onakoya played chess for an astonishing 58 hours, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds.

The record-breaking feat was not only a test of Onakoya’s physical and mental strength but also a mission to raise $1 million for his charity, Chess in Slums Africa.

This initiative aims to distribute one million chess sets to underprivileged communities by 2030, providing access to chess education and enriching the lives of children living in poverty.

Tunde Onakoya’s remarkable journey from the slums of Lagos to the world stage demonstrates the transformative power of chess.

Onakoya credits the game with rescuing him from a difficult childhood and believes in its potential to change lives.

As a board member of the US non-profit ‘The Gift of Chess,’ Onakoya is dedicated to sharing the benefits of chess with others.

The marathon in Times Square drew significant support from both local and international communities.

Hundreds of members from New York’s Nigerian community, including Afrobeats star Davido, came out to cheer for Onakoya, providing him with traditional Nigerian dishes like jollof rice and music to keep his spirits high.

The event was also streamed live on Twitch, where viewers from Nigeria and around the world tuned in to watch and support Onakoya’s incredible feat.

The streaming platform was flooded with messages of encouragement and praise, with one viewer stating, “Thank you for daring to dream and showing us the levels to which we can all take our brain power to! Well done Tunde! I’m going to pick up my chess board back haha.”

Prominent figures, including Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also voiced their support for Onakoya on social media platform X, applauding his determination and resilience.

With his record-breaking achievement, Tunde Onakoya has not only etched his name in history but also highlighted the power of chess to transform lives and inspire change.

As he continues to break barriers and inspire others, Onakoya serves as a shining example of the impact that dedication, perseverance, and strategic thinking can have on the world.