Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya has begun a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square to break the Guinness World Record. The event also aims to raise support for free education for homeless children. Onakoya previously completed a 60-hour run, which was not recognized by Guinness World Records.
Nigerian chess master and social impact leader Tunde Onakoya has launched an extraordinary 70-hour chess marathon in New York City’s Times Square in a bold attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous chess game.
The event, which began on Thursday, is Onakoya’s second attempt at the record. He will play non-stop matches for nearly three days with only five-minute breaks allowed each hour, as required by Guinness guidelines. Spectators gathered around the vibrant square to cheer him on, capturing the moment as a cultural and philanthropic milestone.
Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, is not only aiming for a spot in the record books — his primary motivation is to raise awareness and funds for educational programs targeting out-of-school children in Nigeria. “This is about creating possibilities where there once were none,” he said in a video posted online.
In 2024, he completed a 60-hour marathon with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, but the attempt was not officially recognized by Guinness. A Norwegian duo was instead confirmed as the record holders after clocking in at 61 hours.
This time, Onakoya is aiming for 70 hours — a feat he hopes will not only secure global recognition but inspire investment in education for the most vulnerable communities.
He is joined in New York by several children from his foundation, symbolizing the very future he hopes to build.
