1 hour down, 57 to go: Tunde Onakoya’s 58-hour chess marathon kicks off strong

Tunde Onakoya’s 58-hour chess marathon is off to a strong start, surpassing one hour

Onakoya aims to break the world record for the longest chess marathon set at 56 hours by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

He aims to achieve a new record of 58 hours without losing a game. The 58-hour “chess-a-thon is expected to conclude on April 19.

The event began at 11:30 am DST (4:30 pm WAT) at Times Square in New York and is being streamed live on Tiltify and Twitch accumulating over 500 consecutive viewers.

He founded Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organisation in the same year the chess marathon record was set, to train children in underprivileged communities across Nigeria and Africa in the art of chess and introduce basic education to them.

Onakoya will play two games simultaneously and has already won his first two games as he crossed one hour.

Onakoya seeks to raise $1 million to support millions of African children without access to education. His initiative has raide ober $5,000 so far.

The initiative has seen support from various individuals and organisations who resonate with Onakoya’s dream, including the The US Mission to Nigeria whom have shown support for Tunde on his world record attempt.

“Best wishes to @Tunde_OD on his knightly mission to break the world record for the longest chess marathon without losing a game! We’re thrilled to cheer him on as he makes history in the heart of Times Square and brings hope to children who dream of a brighter future through education. Go Tunde,” the embassy wrote on X.

Yemi Osinbajo, former vice president also cheers on Onakoya for his “strength and determination.”

In a post shared on his social media, the former vice president on Wednesday, he wrote “Dear Tunde, best of luck in Times Square as you attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the Longest Chess Marathon!

“Your resilience and spirit inspire us all. Remember your own powerful words: ‘It is possible to do great things from a small place.’

“Let the dynamic energy of Times Square amplify the greatness that you, a proud Nigerian, bring to the chessboard. We’re all behind vou-show the world the strength and determination you are made of!”