Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.
Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.
The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.
In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.
“For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother,” he wrote.
READ ALSO: Tunde Onakoya Eyes 70-Hour Chess Marathon Record
Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.
RECORD BROKEN! One Board A Million Dreams! 62 Hours ONGOING ❤️
with my brother @CoachShawnMar @chessinslums #70HoursofChessWithTunde#ChessForEducation #GWR2025 pic. twitter. com/g60LJRcLkd
More Than Personal Feat
Onakoya, 30, who gained global recognition in April 2024 for completing a 60-hour chess marathon with Martinez, a US chess master, had earlier revealed that his upcoming attempt was not just about records.
“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.
“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.
“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he added.
During his record-setting performance in 2024, the Nigerian community in New York turned out in a show of support, offering traditional meals like jollof rice and music. Nigerian superstar, Davido, also publicly supported him and presented him with a 30BG chain.
Back in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima commended him, stating that his feat was a symbol of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally. ”
READ ALSO: ‘We Have Done It’: Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Breaks World Record, Hits 60 Hours
Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted that the attempt was “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere. ”
Photo: X @Tunde Onakoya on X
That initial effort, which doubled as a $1 million fundraising campaign, helped elevate Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative — a movement he says has provided education and lifelong scholarships to over 200 children across Nigeria. The funds raised were also used to distribute one million chess sets to impoverished communities, in partnership with The Gift of Chess.
In a January 2024 interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Onakoya said growing up in poverty taught him empathy because the real pain wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from things like education and justice. He said this experience drives his passion to help others, adding that he wants to be the kind of person he needed when he was younger.
A self-taught chess master, Onakoya learnt the game in a barber’s shop. Raised in modest circumstances by a mother who worked as a cleaner to support his education, he went on to study computer science at Yaba College of Technology.
Source: Channels TV
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