Nigerian chess champion and founding father of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has set a 64-Hour chess marathon world report.
The brand new report set by Onakoya and his chess companion, Shawn Martinez, at Instances Sq., New York, broke the 61-hour report achieved by the chess marathon report of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian gamers, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.
The four-day continuous gameplay, which initially focused 70 hours, began on April 17.
READ ALSO: 70-Hour Chess marathon: Tunde Onakoya Breaks File Set by Norwegians
In a submit on his X deal with, the place he shared images of his new feat, he stated, “It’s doable to do nice issues from a small place”.
The official certificates from Guinness World Data shared by Onakoya and confirming the brand new report learn, “The longest chess marathon was achieved by Tunde Onakoya (Nigeria) and Shawn Martinez (Puerto Rico) in Instances Sq., New York, New York, USA from 17 to twenty April 2025.”
Extra Than Private Feat
Onakoya, 30, who gained world recognition in April 2024 for finishing a 60-hour chess marathon with Martinez, a US chess grasp, had earlier revealed that his upcoming try was not nearly data.
“We’re not simply doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for 1,000,000 desires. We need to construct the most important preschool in Africa for homeless youngsters.
“The toughest half isn’t staying awake for 3 days—as a result of 1,000,000 desires will do this. However now, greater than ever, we’d like everybody’s assist. In case you’re in New York, present up at Instances Sq.. Come assist us. Assist us encourage the world and present the world that it’s certainly doable to do nice issues from a small place.
“My dream is to encourage the world and lift assist to construct the most important free college for homeless youngsters in Nigeria,” he added.
Throughout his record-setting efficiency in 2024, the Nigerian group in New York turned out in a present of assist, providing conventional meals like jollof rice and music. Nigerian famous person, Davido, additionally publicly supported him and offered him with a 30BG chain.
Again in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima recommended him, stating that his feat was an emblem of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians each domestically and internationally.”
Equally, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted that the try was “a powerful testimony to how greatness can come from anyplace.”
That preliminary effort, which doubled as a $1 million fundraising marketing campaign, helped elevate Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative — a motion he says has offered training and lifelong scholarships to over 200 youngsters throughout Nigeria. The funds raised had been additionally used to distribute a million chess units to impoverished communities, in partnership with The Present of Chess.
READ ALSO: Tunde Onakoya Eyes 70-hour Chess Marathon With Slum Children
In a January 2024 interview on Channels Tv’s The Morning Temporary, Onakoya stated rising up in poverty taught him empathy as a result of the true ache wasn’t simply missing cash, however being lower off from issues like training and justice. He stated this expertise drives his ardour to assist others, including that he needs to be the type of individual he wanted when he was youthful.
A self-taught chess grasp, Onakoya learnt the sport in a barber’s store. Raised in modest circumstances by a mom who labored as a cleaner to assist his training, he went on to check laptop science at Yaba School of Expertise.
All through his journey, the Lagos-born chess champion has acquired nationwide and worldwide acclaim. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, appointed him in April 2024 because the state’s sports activities ambassador and likened his trigger to that of tens of millions of youths in Nigeria who’re struggling to make one thing out of their lives.
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