Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has achieved a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing continuously for 58 hours. Onakoya accomplished this feat on Saturday, April 19, at New York City’s iconic Times Square, USA. Surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
Onakoya’s motivation for the challenge was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
His foundation, Chess in Slums Africa, released a statement highlighting that the record attempt required a team effort, with Onakoya being joined by his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez.
Both players hold the title of National Masters, and Martinez, a renowned New York City chess legend and coach, presented a formidable opponent. The record for the longest continuous chess play, measured in hours, minutes, and seconds, was achieved by this duo.
