NIGERIAN chess sensation Tunde Onakoya has set a new Guinness World Record after completing a gruelling 64-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York, cementing his place in chess history and national pride.
The feat, achieved alongside his long-time playing partner Shawn Martinez, broke the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by two Norwegian players in 2024. Onakoya and Martinez launched their attempt on April 17, completing the historic stretch on April 20, 2025.
Nigerian redemption on the world stage
This latest victory is particularly meaningful for Onakoya, who briefly held the chess marathon title in April 2024 before it was surpassed just two months later. Determined to reclaim the honour, he and Martinez set a bold target of 70 hours—ultimately completing 64 hours of non-stop play.
The official recognition came from Guinness World Records, which confirmed: ‘The longest chess marathon was achieved by Tunde Onakoya (Nigeria) and Shawn Martinez (Puerto Rico) in Times Square, New York, New York, USA, from 17 to 20 April 2025.’
‘It took a village’ to make history
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Onakoya paid tribute to the community that rallied around him during the record attempt.
‘It took an entire village of these people who equally stayed awake almost the entire 64 hours with us. Every move the legendary @pushingpawnsnyc and I made was held up by the love and strength of these incredible humans,’ he wrote.
The atmosphere in Times Square was electric as supporters gathered day and night to cheer the players on through the long and mentally taxing sessions.
A dream written in the stars
Onakoya’s viral posts following the record struck a deeply inspirational tone, aimed especially at young dreamers and aspiring African players.
‘Dear dreamer, your dreams are written in the stars, and the universe will continue to make way for those who are brave enough to pursue without holding anything back.’
His achievement is more than a world record—it’s a bold reaffirmation of his mission to use chess as a vehicle for youth empowerment across Africa. Through his Chess in Slums Africa initiative, Onakoya has helped transform the lives of children in underserved communities by teaching them strategic thinking, discipline, and self-belief.
From Lagos to Times Square
Onakoya’s journey from grassroots chess evangelist in Lagos to global chess icon in Times Square is a testament to personal determination and national pride. Nigeria, which has long been home to a rich but underrepresented chess culture, now has its name etched in the Guinness record books—thanks to one of its own.
