Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya, also the founder of Chess in Slums Africa (CIS), embarked on a remarkable journey to shatter the Guinness World Record for the lengthiest chess marathon, commencing on April 17th. Initially targeting 58 consecutive hours of play, Onakoya’s determination led him to surpass this mark, ultimately clocking over 60 hours by 7:39 pm EST (12:39 am WAT).
From the onset at 11:30 am EST (4:30 pm WAT) on April 17, 2024, Onakoya displayed unwavering resilience, winning all 200 games he participated in during the marathon.
Beyond the record-breaking feat, Onakoya aimed to raise $1 million (£805,000) in charitable funds to promote chess education among millions of underprivileged children. His noble endeavor garnered widespread attention, attracting support from prominent figures like music icon Davido, acclaimed singer Adekunle Gold, presidential hopeful Omoyele Sowore, and numerous other influential personalities in Nigeria.
Acknowledging Onakoya’s achievement, President Bola Tinubu commended the chess maestro for his remarkable feat, hailing it as a testament to Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and innovation on the global stage. This commendation was conveyed in a statement issued by the President’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu Congratulates Tunde Onakoya on New World Chess Record.
