Nigerian Chess Champion Tunde Onakoya Sets New Marathon World Record
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has set a new Guinness World Record with a 64-hour chess marathon held in New York’s Times Square.
Onakoya, alongside U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, shattered the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, held by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad since June 2024.
The duo’s historic feat began on April 17 and concluded after four grueling days on April 20, 2025. Though they initially aimed for a 70-hour marathon, the final time of 64 hours was enough to set a new global benchmark.
Confirming the record, Guinness World Records presented an official certificate stating: “The longest chess marathon was achieved by Tunde Onakoya (Nigeria) and Shawn Martinez (Puerto Rico) in Times Square, New York, New York, USA from 17 to 20 April 2025.”
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account to celebrate the achievement, Onakoya shared photos and wrote, “It is possible to do great things from a small place.”
The 30-year-old Lagos-born chess master had previously completed a 60-hour marathon with Martinez in 2024, earning global acclaim. However, Onakoya emphasized that this latest attempt was about more than just breaking 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,” he said. “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 that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.”
He reiterated his mission to inspire global change and raise funds to build a free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
During the 2024 marathon attempt, the Nigerian community in New York showed up in force—bringing traditional food like jollof rice and offering musical support. Nigerian music superstar Davido also lent his support and gifted Onakoya a signature 30BG chain in recognition of his efforts.
At home, the achievement was widely celebrated. Vice President Kashim Shettima described Onakoya’s milestone as a testament to the “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally.” Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed this, calling it “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere.”
That earlier campaign also served as a $1 million fundraiser, which elevated the Chess in Slums Africa initiative—a program Onakoya says has helped over 200 children in Nigeria gain access to education and lifelong scholarships.
A portion of the funds also enabled the distribution of one million chess sets to underserved communities, in partnership with The Gift of Chess.
In a January 2024 interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Onakoya reflected on his upbringing in poverty, saying the real struggle wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from opportunity. That experience, he said, fuels his drive to be the kind of support he once needed.
A self-taught chess master, Onakoya learned the game in a barber’s shop. Raised by a single mother who worked as a cleaner to support his education, he later studied computer science at Yaba College of Technology.
In April 2024, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun appointed him as the state’s sports ambassador, hailing his journey as symbolic of the aspirations of millions of Nigerian youths striving for a better future.
