Guinness world record attempt for longest chess marathon
Chess master Tunde Onakoya is attempting a 70-hour Guinness World Record chess marathon in Times Square.
In April 2024, Tunde played chess for 60 hours straight in Times Square, New York, smashing the previous record and raising funds for children’s education across Africa. He initially set out to play for 58 hours but pushed himself to 60 in the hope of raising $1 million for out-of-school children.
In June 2024, the record has been broken by Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea (both Norway) in Stavanger, Norway. Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea earned a place in history after playing chess for 61 hours, 03 minutes, and 34 seconds. In a stunning display of endurance and mental fortitude, and after playing a total of 383 five-minute blitz games, the record was officially confirmed at 10 p.m. local time in Stavanger, Norway.
The former world champion (Magnus Carlsen) regularly visited them throughout the attempt, as he did when the record was secured. “I am really proud of them. I honestly had my doubts if they were gonna make it, but they were always very serious about it and they prepared very well,” Carlsen said.
The new record attempt by Tunde Onakoya
Joining Tunde Onakoya on this mission is fellow chess coach and US National Master, Shawn Martinez. The dates for the record are April 17-20, 2025 and Chessdom.com will be following closely the event.
As with his previous record-breaking run, the goal is much bigger than the game itself. Tunde hopes to inspire people around the world and rally support to build the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria. He’s also extended an open invitation to every chess player in New York City to come and challenge them in Times Square.