Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest Chess marathon.
Onakoya dislcosed this on his official X handle.
The 29-year-old would be attempting to break the longest chess marathon which currently stands at 56 hours,nine minute and 37 seconds.
The record was achieved by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad (both Norway) in Haugesund, Norway, on 11 November 2018.
“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,” he wrote.
“Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.
“You guys have been rock solid for me through the years, so I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds.”
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Onakoya will be aiming to become the latest Nigerian recipient of the Guinness World Record.
Other notable Nigerians who have achieved the feat include Hilda Baci, Wizkid, late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Rema, Kaffy.
Born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, Onakoya is a Nigerian chess master coach and founder of Chess in Slums Africa.
He has organized a number of interventions for children across slums in Lagos state including Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko and Oshodi.
The children engaged in session that seek to unlock their potential through the game of chess while learning to read, write and acquire basic literacy skills.
Onakoya got a diploma in computer science at Yaba College of Technology where he was a gold medalist representing the school in Nigeria Polytechnic Games and also at the RCCG Chess Championship.
He has also won the National Friends of Chess and the Chevron Chess Open.
He is a board member of the New York City-based non-profit The Gift of Chess.
