Chess champion breaks record by playing for 6 hours straight to raise funds for child education

Tunde Onakoya, a 29-year-old Nigerian chess champion, has embarked on a remarkable journey to break the world record for the longest continuous chess game, all in the name of raising funds for children’s education in Africa. Fueled by lots of water and the popular West African dish jollof rice, Onakoya aims to raise $1 million to enable some of the world’s poorest youngsters to go to school.

The marathon attempt began in New York City’s Times Square on Wednesday, where Onakoya faced off against US chess champion Shawn Martinez. As the hours ticked by, Onakoya surpassed the 58-hour mark, beating the current record set in 2018.

The Guinness World Record has yet to publicly comment on Onakoya’s bid, but support for his cause has been pouring in both online and at the scene. Onakoya’s charity, Chess in Slums Africa, founded in 2018, aims to support the education of at least one million of Africa’s poorest children.

Despite the grueling challenge, Onakoya’s energy remained high, thanks to the support of his cheering well-wishers and the rhythmic African music that kept spectators entertained. For every hour of gameplay, Onakoya and his opponent were allowed only five minutes of break, during which they were often surrounded by supporters, allowing Onakoya to join in their dancing.

The record attempt has garnered attention not only in the US but also in Nigeria, where Onakoya regularly organizes chess competitions for young people living on the streets. With more than 10 million children out of school in Nigeria, Onakoya’s mission to raise funds for education is more crucial than ever. As he continues his marathon chess game, Onakoya’s determination and passion for helping others serve as an inspiration to many, including Nigeria’s former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, who has lent his support to the cause.