close
Monday, April 21, 2025

Chess master Tunde Onakoya breaks world record for longest chess marathon

The new feat has surpassed the earlier 61-hour, 3-minute, and 34-second record set by Norwegian duo Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea.

• April 20, 2025
Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya
Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya[Credit: Instagram]

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has re-established himself, alongside his American chess partner, Shawn Martinez, as players of the longest chess marathon in the world.

Onakoya and Martinez, on Sunday, at Times Square, New York, made a feat of the 64-hour round-the-clock chess game. 

The marathon began on Thursday, April 17, with a target to raise $1,000,000 through his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, which will be used to build the largest tuition-free school for vulnerable children in Nigeria.

The new feat has surpassed the earlier 61-hour, 3-minute, and 34-second record set by Norwegian duo Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea.

Onakoya, in a post via his X handle, @Tunde_OD, ascribed the victory to all dreamers who aspire to change the world.

“If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do? Sometimes the world won’t hand you 70 hours on a golden platter. Sometimes, you have to carve it out of your own breath, your own becoming. Not for applause. Not for records. But for the quiet dreamers who need to see someone leap — so they know it’s possible to fly,” Onakoya tweeted.

“This is a dream I’ve carried for years. Because no child should ever have their childhood sacrificed for survival. No dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty,” he added.

As of the time of this report, the Guinness World Records, a global authority on record-breaking achievements, has yet to recognise the feat.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Electricity power line

Economy

FG says intervention accelerating Siemens power project

The power minister says the federal government’s intervention in the power sector has helped to stimulate the Siemens project further.

Abdullahi Ganduje

NationWide

Ganduje condoles with Niyi Akinsiju over mother’s death

He said that she would be fondly remembered for her remarkable life and contributions.

NationWide

Cleric urges Christians to be agents of reconciliation, hope

According to him, the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact and the foundation of the Christian faith.

NationWide

David Mark urges FG to declare armed herdsmen as terrorists

Mr Mark decried the unending activities of armed herdsmen, suspected to be behind the killings and kidnappings.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Sport

EPL: Trent-Alexander Arnold scores on 350th appearance as Leicester City get relegated

Leceister became the first club in Premier League history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring.

Photo of a teacher used to illustrate the story

States

Abia teachers to embark on strike over unmet demands

Mr Madu said that the seven-day notice served the government to that effect would expire on Wednesday.