IN an effort to support the aspirations of millions of children in Africa who lack access to education, Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya has declared his intention to break the record for the longest chess marathon.
This was revealed by Onakoya on Friday, April 12, 2024, in a post on his X handle, where he said he would attempt to play chess for 58 hours without losing a game.
“On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness World record for the longest Chess marathon in the heart of Times Square, New York City, for 58 hours without losing a game. Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.” Onakoya wrote.
The event is set to take place in Times Square, New York City, on April 17, 10 a.m. to April 19, 8 p.m.
Onakoya appealed to Nigerians to support the ambition.
“You guys have been rock solid for me through the years, so I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds,” he wrote.
Chess in Slums Africa is a non-profit organisation founded by Onakoya to utilise chess education materials to guide and empower underprivileged youngsters.
According to the Guinness World Records, the longest chess marathon, lasting 56 hours, 09 minutes, and 37 seconds, was accomplished on November 11, 2018, by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.
Many Nigerians indicated interest in breaking the Guinness world record after Hilda Baci successfully attempted the longest cooking marathon in May 2023.
Hilda Baci broke the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), cooking for 93 hours and 11 minutes.
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Her feat was acknowledged by Guinness World Record, and in June 2023, she was confirmed as the record holder.
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