Onakoya will play chess for 58 consecutive hours from 10am of April 17 - 8:00pm of April 19 in Times Square, New York City, to break the Guinness World Record.
A Nigerian, Tunde Onakoya, has begun an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon without losing a game.
Onakoya, who had taken to his X handle to announce his readiness to embark on the marathon being held in the heart of Times Square, New York City, said that he was embarking on the marathon for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.
“On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guiness World record for the longest Chess marathon in the heart of Times Square New York City for 58 hours without losing a game.
“Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.
“You guys have been rock solid for me through the years, so I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds,” he wrote on X platform.
As he was about to start, he made an updated post on his X handle, announcing, “Handing over my phone to my team now.
“All correspondence goes through my manager @OgaBoxx. Please send him a message if you need to get a message across.”
Onakoya said, “The rule stipulates that I have 5 minutes break for every one hour so I’ll check in a few times.”
Appreciating supporters who already surrounded him before starting the game, he wrote, “We haven’t even started yet and Nigerians are already trooping in to camp out with me.”
In another post before the challenge, he tweeted “Game time,” posting a Nigerian flag alongside.
Reacting to Onakoya’s Guinness World Record attempt, the US Mission in Nigeria wrote on its X handle, “Best wishes to @Tunde_OD on his knightly mission to break the world record for the longest chess marathon without losing a game!
“We’re thrilled to cheer him on as he makes history in the heart of Times Square and brings hope to children who dream of a brighter future through education.
“Go Tunde!”
According to Tiltify, Onakoya will play chess for 58 consecutive hours from 10am of April 17 - 8:00pm of April 19 in Times Square, New York City, to break the Guinness World Record.
“Tunde does not play alone, but with the dreams of millions of children globally who are fighting for opportunity.
“Not everyone will have access to education and far too many children globally, continue to fall through the cracks, but every child has talents and potential and we believe that chess can be a simple tool, helping unlock their incredible potential.”
“Our goal is to donate 1 million chess sets globally. To date, we have secured 116,000 chess sets for global distribution, reaching over 25 countries,” the platform stated.