- Tunde Onakoya begins a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York, aiming to reclaim the Guinness World Record
- The Nigerian chess master is playing alongside US chess master Shawn Martinez, with whom he completed a 60-hour marathon in April 2024
- Onakoya says his goal is to raise the support to build the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria
Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has embarked on an ambitious 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York City, in a bid to reclaim the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The record-breaking attempt, which kicked off on Thursday, April 17, 2025, is Onakoya’s second effort at the title.
He is playing alongside US chess master Shawn Martinez, with whom he previously completed a 60-hour chess marathon in April 2024.
That feat broke the previous 2018 record of 56 hours held by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.
However, their triumph was short-lived, as another Norwegian duo surpassed their achievement with a 61-hour, 3-minute, and 34-second marathon just two months later in June 2024.
Determined to take back the crown, Onakoya and Martinez are now aiming for an impressive 70-hour mark.
According to the Guinness World Records rules, they are permitted only a five-minute break for every hour played.
Onakoya has pledged not to lose a single game throughout the marathon.
The event is more than just a record attempt, it is also a powerful campaign to raise awareness and support for a greater cause.
Onakoya revealed that the true goal of this marathon is to raise funds and support to build the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he wrote on X.com.
To further spotlight his initiative, Onakoya will be joined briefly during the event by five children from his Chess in Slums Africa project, young talents who, he says, "have shown all of us that it is possible to do great things from a small place."
The event has drawn attention both in New York and across the globe, with cheering supporters gathering around Times Square and fans online closely monitoring the progress.
The Gift of Chess, a New York-based non-profit organisation dedicated to distributing chess sets worldwide, has also thrown its support behind the marathon, sharing photos and videos of the kickoff moment.
7 Continents in 60 hours: Alma Asinobi sets new goal after travel record is broken
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian travel and lifestyle creator Alma Asinobi announced that the Guinness World Record for fastest travel across seven continents was broken.
Despite the setback, Alma remained determined to push forward with her mission. She announced an even more ambitious goal, #7IN60, aiming to complete the challenge in just 60 hours.