Chess master Tunde Onakoya breaks world record for longest chess marathon

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has re-established himself, alongside his American chess partner, Shawn Martinez, as players of the longest chess marathon in the world.
Onakoya and Martinez, on Sunday, at Times Square, New York, made a feat of the 64-hour round-the-clock chess game.
The marathon began on Thursday, April 17, with a target to raise $1,000,000 through his initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, which will be used to build the largest tuition-free school for vulnerable children in Nigeria.
The new feat has surpassed the earlier 61-hour, 3-minute, and 34-second record set by Norwegian duo Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea.
Onakoya, in a post via his X handle, @Tunde_OD, ascribed the victory to all dreamers who aspire to change the world.
“If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do? Sometimes the world won’t hand you 70 hours on a golden platter. Sometimes, you have to carve it out of your own breath, your own becoming. Not for applause. Not for records. But for the quiet dreamers who need to see someone leap — so they know it’s possible to fly,” Onakoya tweeted.
“This is a dream I’ve carried for years. Because no child should ever have their childhood sacrificed for survival. No dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty,” he added.
As of the time of this report, the Guinness World Records, a global authority on record-breaking achievements, has yet to recognise the feat.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Nigerian businesses offered platform to fight AI-driven cybercrime
Digital Encode, a Nigerian cybersecurity company, says it has deployed an AI platform to help organisations fight increasingly sophisticated cybercrime.

States
Kano assembly seeks modernisation of Murtala library to boost reading culture
The Kano State House of Assembly has urged the state government to urgently undertake a total overhaul and facelift of the state-owned library.

States
APM wins Bauchi local govt elections
Some opposition parties boycotted the elections, alleging that the exercise contravened the 2026 Bauchi State Electoral Act.

Sport
FIFA sacks chief operating officer after criticising Infantino’s investment plan
Mr Lamour’s dismissal was confirmed by a FIFA spokesperson, who said the COO would be relieved of his responsibilities effective Monday.

States
Oyebamiji begs Adeleke, IGP Disu to stop post-election violent attacks on APC members
“I wish to alert the state government and security agents to the growing trend of hostility and violence against our members and supporters,” Mr Oyebamiji said on Tuesday.

Hot news Home top
‘This is probably my last year of football,’ says Ronaldo
“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” said Ronaldo.






