NEW YORK (AP) — To break the record for the longest chess marathon, a Nigerian chess champion, and child education advocate played chess constantly for 60 hours at Times Square, New York City.
Tunde Onakoya, 29, is making a record attempt that started on Wednesday to raise $1 million for children’s education in Africa.
He had planned to play the royal game for 58 hours, but at around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, he achieved that goal by reaching 60 hours, breaking the record set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018 with 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Regarding Onakoya’s effort, the Guinness World Record organization has not yet made a public statement. Weeks may pass before the organization confirms a new record.
According to Guinness World Record rules, any attempt to break the record must be made by two players who would play constantly for the full length. Onakoya played against American chess champion Shawn Martinez.
Online and at the scene, where a mix of African music thrilled viewers and fans with shouts and clapping, support had been building. Nigerian music icon Davido was one of the scores of people who were at the scene supporting Onakoya.
Onakoya, who started Chess in Slums Africa in 2018, stated that the record attempt is “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.” The goal of the organization is to help at least one million children in the continent’s poorest receive an education.
When the players reached the 24-hour mark on Thursday night, Onakoya remarked, “My people are here supporting me with music, so my energy is at 100% right now.”
Onakoya’s meals include jollof rice, a popular meal in West Africa, along with a lot of water.
Only five minutes were given to Onakoya and his opponent to rest for every hour of gameplay. Onakoya used the breaks—which were usually packed together—to catch up to the Nigerians and New Yorkers who encouraged 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 living in the United States, world leaders, celebrities, and hundreds of witnesses have shown unwavering support, he said.
In Nigeria, where he frequently arranges chess tournaments for young people who are homeless, Onakoya’s effort was actively watched.
The West African nation has one of the highest rates of school failure in the world, with over 10 million school-age children not attending.
Celebrities and public officials who have publicly backed him 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.'”