Guinness World Records: Nigerian chess master takes on record of longest chess marathon
Nigerian chess master Tunde Odukoya is set to break the record for the longest chess marathon in Manhattan, New York.
The marathon commenced on April 17, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time and 4:30 p.m. Western time and is set to end on April 19
In an attempt to beat the former record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad in Haugesund, Norway, on November 11, 2018, Mr Onakoya from Nigeria will face off against Shawn Martinez from the United States.
Both competitors will engage in this challenge.
Shawn Martinez is a chess legend and coach from New York City.
Messrs Onakoya and Martinez will hold the record title.
In the open space of Manhattan, where the exercise is ongoing, Nigerian artiste Adekunle Almoruf, aka Adekunle Gold, is present to support Mr Onakoya.
Mr Onakoya, born in Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, had a goal over five years ago: to teach the game of chess to underserved children.
He boldly decided to step away from playing chess professionally, dedicating all his time and efforts to his dream of empowering young minds through the Chess in Slums initiative, providing interventions in Ikorodu and Oshodi.
While the guidelines do not explicitly state that winning or losing affects the record, the 29-year-old chess champion intends to complete the challenge without losing any games.
He is also simultaneously playing with other opponents on separate chess boards in addition to his game against his opponent.
However, only his game with Mr Martinez is valid for the record.
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