Nigerian chess champion and social entrepreneur Tunde Onakoya is preparing to embark on a 70-hour chess marathon in New York’s Times Square in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record and spotlight the power of opportunity for underprivileged children.
The 30-year-old founder of ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ announced on Tuesday that he will be joined by five children from disadvantaged communities in Nigeria, blending the record attempt with a message of inclusion and empowerment.Â
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Onakoya made international headlines in April 2024 after completing a 60-hour chess marathon with American chess master Shawn Martinez. The upcoming challenge, scheduled for 17–20 April 2025, aims to eclipse the current record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by two Norwegian players in June last year.
While the goal is ambitious, Onakoya insists the effort goes beyond the pursuit of records. At its core, he says, the project is a testament to the potential that exists in overlooked places—and a rallying call to invest in it.
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