It’s a historic win on and off the chessboard for Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya, who has officially shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon ever recorded. Alongside US National Master Shawn Martinez, Tunde clocked an astounding 64 hours of continuous gameplay, surpassing the previous 61-hour record set by two Norwegian players.
Live from Times Square, New York City, Onakoya celebrated the achievement with a joyful message: “For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD.” This moment isn’t just about checkmates and endurance—it’s a global call to action.
According to a 9am News report, the new milestone also eclipses Tunde’s personal best of 60 hours, a record he proudly set in 2024. But this time, the stakes are far greater. The entire marathon effort is rooted in a powerful mission: raising $1 million to fund a free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
While Guinness has already recognized the 64-hour mark with an official plaque, the marathon isn’t over just yet. Tunde and Shawn are still pushing to reach 70 hours, proving that resilience, purpose, and vision can create waves far beyond the game of chess.
Tunde, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has long used the game as a transformative tool to empower children from underserved communities. This record-breaking performance reinforces his unwavering belief that chess can be a symbol of hope and change.
This feat has sparked global admiration, not just for the physical and mental strength it demanded, but for the larger cause it represents. “It’s never just about the game,” Onakoya said in an earlier interview. “It’s about giving children the power to dream, to think strategically, and to change their own lives.”
As donations pour in and the world watches this historic run unfold, Tunde’s story continues to inspire a new generation of dreamers, thinkers, and changemakers—proving once again that from the slums to Times Square, every move counts.
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