Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes. Onakoya achieved this feat under the bright lights of New York’s Times Square, playing continuously for an impressive 58 hours.
The 29-year-old chess enthusiast aimed to raise $1 million for charity to support chess education for millions of children. His marathon received enthusiastic support from New York’s Nigerian community, including popular Afrobeats star Davido, who cheered him on and provided energizing supplies of Nigerian dishes like jollof rice.
Viewers from Nigeria followed Onakoya’s journey on Twitch, with messages pouring in to commend his determination and inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Onakoya, who hails from Lagos and grew up in challenging circumstances, credits chess with transforming his life. He founded Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit that teaches chess to underprivileged children and supports their education. Additionally, he serves as a board member for The Gift of Chess, a US non-profit working to distribute one million chess sets to underserved communities by 2030.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Onakoya and underscores the transformative power of chess in empowering young minds.
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