With a noble cause in mind, Tunde Onakoya, a talented Nigerian chess master, has revealed his ambitious goal of smashing the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. His motivation? “For the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.”
In an announcement on his X handle, Onakoya shared that he will test his endurance by engaging in a 58-hour chess showdown without a single defeat.
The groundbreaking event is set to kick off at 10 am on April 17 and will conclude at 8 pm on April 19, right in the heart of Times Square, New York City.
“On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in the bustling Times Square, New York City, playing relentlessly for 58 hours without being conquered.
“This endeavor is dedicated to the aspirations of millions of children in Africa who are deprived of educational opportunities.”
Onakoya also reached out to Nigerians, calling on them to demonstrate the unwavering Nigerian spirit by joining forces in support of his mission.
“You all have been my pillar of strength over the years, and now, more than ever, I implore all of us to unite and showcase to the world the resilient Nigerian essence. Together, we can achieve remarkable feats, emerging victorious from humble beginnings against all odds,” he expressed.
As the brain behind Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya leads an organization dedicated to mentoring and unleashing the potential of underprivileged children through chess education.
In the existing records, the longest chess marathon lasted for 56 hours, 09 minutes, and 37 seconds, established by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad from Norway on November 11, 2018.