new york – A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate is attempting to break the world record for longest chess marathon by playing chess non-stop for 58 hours in New York City's Times Square. .
Tunde Onakoya, 29, wants to raise $1 million for the education of children across Africa. He is playing against American chess champion Sean Martinez under Guinness World Records guidelines. Any attempt to break the record must be made by two players playing continuously for the entire period.
Onakoya had been playing chess for 42 hours by 10am GMT on Friday. Support is growing both online and in the field, with the fusion of African music entertaining onlookers and supporters to cheers and applause.
The current chess marathon record is 56 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds, set in 2018 by Norway's Halvard Haug Hratebo and Sujur Verkingstad.
Onakoya, who founded Chess in Slams Africa in 2018, said the record attempt was “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa who lack access to education.” The organization hopes to support the education of at least one million children in slums across Africa.
“My energy is 100 percent right now because the people here are supporting me with music,” Onakoya said Thursday night, as the players crossed the 24-hour mark.
Onakoya's menu: Lots of water and jollof rice, one of West Africa's most famous dishes.
During each game period, Onakoya and his opponent only have five minutes of rest. Breaks are sometimes held in batches, and Onakoya uses them to catch up with his Nigerian and New Yorker supporters. He also sometimes joins in their dances.
Onakoya manager Taiwo Adeyemi said a total of $22,000 was raised within the first 20 hours of the effort.
“There has been overwhelming support from Nigerians in the United States, world leaders, celebrities, and hundreds of passersby,” he said.
Onakoya's efforts have attracted attention in Nigeria, where he regularly holds chess tournaments for young people living on the streets to promote his cause. More than 10 million children in the West African country are out of school, one of the highest rates in the world.
Among those publicly supporting him are celebrities and public officials, including Nigeria's former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, who wrote to Onakoya on X (formerly Twitter): It's a small place. ”
The Guinness World Records Organization has not yet officially commented on Onakoya's attempt, but it could reach 58 hours by midnight Friday. It may take several weeks for the organization to verify new records.
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This version corrects that Osinbajo is a former vice president of Nigeria, not the current vice president.
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Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria.
