Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya is preparing for another historic feat as he seeks to reclaim the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, recently set at 61 hours by two Norwegian players.
Onakoya, who first captured global attention last year with an impressive 58-hour chess session in New York City’s Times Square, announced his new attempt via Instagram. He revealed that on 17 April 2025, he and fellow chess enthusiast @pushingpawnsnyc will aim to set a new record by playing non-stop for 70 hours.
This new endeavor goes beyond personal ambition. Onakoya plans to share the challenge with five young players from his Chess in Slums initiative, highlighting the talents of children who have risen from difficult backgrounds.
“This time, I won’t be doing it alone. I’ll be playing alongside five kids from Chess in Slums who have shown the world that greatness can come from humble beginnings,” he said.
The record attempt will once again take place in Times Square, and Onakoya has invited New York’s chess community to join the event, offering the public a chance to challenge the young players during the marathon.
Onakoya views the open challenge not just as a way to add excitement, but as a platform to raise awareness and support for underprivileged communities.