Tunde Onakoya is a Nigerian chess player and coach. His initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, was founded in 2018 to assist at least one million underprivileged children in the continent’s slums.
Born on October 6, 1994, Tunde has organized several interventions for kids in Nigeria’s Lagos State’s slums, such as Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko, and most recently, Oshodi.
During a two-week program, the kids learn to read, write, and develop fundamental literacy skills while exploring the game of chess to reach their full potential.
With the record attempt that started on Wednesday, 30-year-old Tunde Onakoya aims to raise $1 million for children’s education throughout Africa.
According to Onakoya, the record attempt is “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.”
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He started the royal game to play for 58 hours, but he kept going until he surpassed 60 hours, at around 12:40 a.m.
On Saturday, he surpassed the previous record for the longest chess marathon, held by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018 at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Regarding Onakoya’s effort, the Guinness World Record organization has not yet made a public statement.
According to Guinness World Record regulations, any attempt to break the record must be made by two players who would play continuously for the full length. Onakoya competed against American chess champion Shawn Martinez.
Online and in-person, support for Onakoya has been rising. At the scene, a mix of African music delighted spectators and supporters amid yells and clapping.
Celebrities and public officials who have backed the chess prodigy include Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice president of Nigeria, who responded to Onakoya on the social networking site X with the words, “Remember your own powerful words: ‘It is possible to do great things from a small place.'”
Nigerian musician Davido was one of those who encouraged Onakoya.
On Thursday night, following the players’ 24-hour mark, Onakoya said: “My energy is at 100% right now because my people are here supporting me with music,” in response to a question about how he felt.
Onakoya and his opponent received only five minutes of break for every hour of gameplay. Onakoya used the breaks—which were occasionally clustered together—to catch up to the Nigerians and New Yorkers who provided support for him. At times, he even joined in on their dance.
According to Taiwo Adeyemi, manager of Onakoya, $22,000 was raised in the first 20 hours of the attempt.
“Nigerians in the United States, world leaders, celebrities, and hundreds of bystanders have shown overwhelming support,” he stated.
Nigeria, where Onakoya frequently hosts chess tournaments for young people living on the streets, keenly watched his attempt.
