Tunde Onakoya: Nigerian chess master to break Guiness World record in US

Nigerian chess master, coach and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has announced his plan to break the Guinness World record for the longest chess marathon without losing a game.

Onakoya made the announcement in a post on his X, formerly Twitter, account on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The chess enthusiast disclosed that the event, which is expected to last for 58 hours, will be staged in the heart of the famous Times Square in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States on April 17, 2024.

Onakoya explained that he decided to embark on the record-breaking endeavour to help millions of African children without access to education.

“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,” his post read.

The Chess in Slums pioneer appealed to Nigerians residing in New York to come forward and provide their enthusiastic support to push him to achieve the new world record.

He stated that the attempt would start at 10 am (presumably New York time) and would be available for everyone to stream on YouTube.

Onakoya is renowned for his noble efforts of utilising chess as a tool to offer opportunities for children residing in marginalised areas, often referred to as slums within the country.