Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, is currently in the midst of an impressive challenge in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. He is attempting to break the record for the longest chess marathon by playing for 58 consecutive hours, all while raising $1 million for charity.
Onakoya’s goal is to support chess education for millions of children, and he has garnered significant support from his community. Fellow Nigerians, including Afrobeats star Davido, have shown up to cheer him on, providing him with music and nourishing him with traditional Nigerian dishes like jollof rice.
As Onakoya continues his marathon, viewers back in Nigeria are watching him closely on Twitch, a popular video-streaming service. Vice-President Kashim Shettima and Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have both expressed their support and admiration for Onakoya’s determination.
By the early hours of Friday, Onakoya had already played for 39 hours and raised over $42,000. With his sights set on breaking the Guinness World Record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds, set by a Norwegian duo in 2018, Onakoya remains determined and focused.
The 29-year-old chess enthusiast credits the game with transforming his life, as it provided him with an escape from poverty while growing up in Lagos. Through his NGO, Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya now teaches children from underprivileged communities chess and supports their education.
Additionally, as a board member of The Gift of Chess, a US non-profit organization, Onakoya is working towards distributing one million chess sets to underserved communities by 2030. His dedication to empowering others through the game of chess has not gone unnoticed, and he continues to inspire individuals both locally and internationally.
