Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.

Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.
The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.

In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.

“For all the dreamers! We’ve officially ‘broken the record’ with my brother,” he wrote. Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.

Onakoya, 30, who gained global recognition in April 2024 for completing a 60-hour chess marathon with Martinez, a US chess master, had earlier revealed that his upcoming attempt was not just about records.

“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.

“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.

“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he added. With the record now broken and momentum building, all eyes are on Onakoya and Martinez as they inch closer to the 70-hour finish line.

Support continues to pour online and onsite in Times Square, where spectators are witnessing a chess match and a heartfelt pursuit of social transformation.

“It’s not just about the hours,” Onakoya reminds the world.

“It’s about what you do with them.”