Onakoya plans to use the marathon to raise funds and awareness for his mission to build Africa’s largest free preschool for homeless children
Tunde Onakoya Smashes Guinness World Record with 64-Hour Chess Marathon
Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya has made history, clinching the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon with an astonishing 64-hour feat in New York’s Times Square. Partnered with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, Onakoya surpassed the previous 61-hour record set by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in June 2024.
The marathon, which began on April 17, 2025, and ended on April 20, saw Onakoya and Martinez push their limits in a four-day, non-stop chess battle. Originally aiming for 70 hours, the duo secured the record at 64 hours, earning an official certificate from Guinness World Records. “It is possible to do great things from a small place,” Onakoya declared on X, sharing images of the milestone.
For Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, this wasn’t just about breaking records. The 30-year-old chess master used the marathon to raise funds and awareness for his mission to build Africa’s largest free preschool for homeless children. “We’re doing this for a million dreams,” he said, emphasizing his goal to transform lives through education. The event, which drew global attention, is part of his broader campaign to raise $1 million for underprivileged children across Africa.
The Nigerian community in New York rallied behind Onakoya, fueling him with jollof rice, Afrobeats, and unwavering encouragement. Superstar Davido showed up, gifting him a 30BG chain, while Nigerian leaders, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised his resilience and vision. “This is a testament to how greatness can emerge from anywhere,” Sanwo-Olu noted.
This isn’t Onakoya’s first record-breaking attempt. In April 2024, he and Martinez completed a 60-hour marathon, eclipsing a 56-hour record set in 2018. That effort raised $110,000 for Chess in Slums Africa, which has provided scholarships to over 200 children and distributed one million chess sets to impoverished communities. With this latest feat, Onakoya continues to inspire, proving that chess can be a powerful tool for change.
As Guinness World Records verifies the 64-hour record, Onakoya’s story resonates far beyond the chessboard. His journey from Lagos slums to global acclaim underscores his message: no dream is too big, no place too small. “Every move I make is for the children who dream of a better future,” he said, cementing his legacy as a champion for both chess and humanity. Read More
