Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has revealed his intention to shatter the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, citing it as a mission to support the educational aspirations of countless African children facing limited access to learning opportunities.
Onakoya shared this ambitious goal via his X social media account on Friday, outlining his plan to engage in a 58-hour chess marathon without suffering a single defeat.
The event is set to unfold from 10 am on April 17 to 8 pm on April 19 at Times Square in New York City.
He wrote, “On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness World record for the longest chess marathon in the heart of Times Square, New York City, for 58 hours without losing a game.
“Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.”
Furthermore, Onakoya called upon Nigerians to step up and demonstrate the steadfast Nigerian spirit by offering their support.
“You guys have been rock solid for me through the years, so I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds,” he stated.
Onakoya founded Chess in Slums Africa, an organization focused on offering mentorship and unleashing the potential of disadvantaged children through chess-based educational tools.
The Guinness World Records note that the longest chess marathon lasted 56 hours, 09 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018.
