Renowned Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has been officially acknowledged by Guinness World Records for completing the world’s longest chess marathon.
Onakoya accomplished this incredible feat with a continuous 64-hour chess session held in New York City’s iconic Times Square.
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The historic chess event, carried out in partnership with American player Shawn Martinez, took place between April 17 and April 20, 2025.
The duo’s dedication and resilience through the marathon has now been formally recognized, making their accomplishment the new global standard for chess endurance.
This achievement marks a powerful return for Onakoya, who first attempted the record in April 2024 with a 60-hour stretch—momentarily overtaking the previous title.
However, the record was soon surpassed by Norway’s Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, who logged 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds just two months later.With Guinness World Records now validating his 64-hour performance, Onakoya reclaims the top spot in the history books.
Outside his personal triumphs, Onakoya continues to inspire through Chess in Slums Africa, a transformative non-profit organization that uses chess to educate, uplift, and create opportunities for disadvantaged children throughout Nigeria and beyond.
