Nigerian chess player aims for world record
In an effort to smash the record for the longest chess marathon worldwide, a Nigerian chess champion and supporter of child education is trying to play chess continuously for 58 hours in Times Square, New York City.
The 29-year-old Tunde Onakoya wants to raise $1 million to support African children’s education. In accordance with the Guinness World Record regulations, which state that any attempt to break the record must be done by two players who would play continuously for the full length, he is competing against American chess champion Shawn Martinez. Online and at the scene, where a mix of African music is entertaining spectators and supporters with yells and clapping, support is building.
The current record for the longest chess marathon is 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad.
