To raise funds for underprivileged children in Africa, Nigerian Tunde Onakoya shattered the world record for the longest uninterrupted chess playing time at Times Square.
Tunde Onakoya, 30 years old, played chess continuously for 58 hours. Supported by an enthusiastic audience who came to support him at Times Square, in the center of New York, where he played, this Nigerian chess master began playing in the late afternoon of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, and did not finish his last game until Saturday, April 20.
"It's a lot of emotion, it's overwhelming, I'm lost for words, but I know I have achieved something incredible," he emotionally shared with AFP once the timer stopped.
"Last night at three in the morning I was ready to give up and go to bed, but Nigerians came from all over the world to see me, people from London, from Tennessee, no one left, they kept dancing and singing, I couldn't let them down," added the 29-year-old player.
Beyond the encouragement of his immediate audience, the strongest motivation for this exceptional chess player is the noble cause he advocates through "Chess in Slums Africa" (Chess in the Slums). An initiative that Onakoya launched in 2018 to help underprivileged children in African slums.
Immediately after his performance, the record holder received congratulations from Bola Ahmed Tinubu in an official statement released Saturday. The Nigerian president praised the player's "talent" and "boldness". Tinubu stated that Onakoya has "rung the bell of resilience, self-confidence, and Nigerian ingenuity."
"Mr. Onakoya has demonstrated a talent typical of young Nigerians, the boldness to make a difference, to defy the impossible, and to offer innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even in the most disadvantaged corners," emphasized the head of state.
Tunde Onakoya is famous in Nigeria, especially after the launch of "Chess in Slums" in Ikorodu. A sprawling slum on the outskirts of Lagos whose residents, especially the younger ones, feel marginalized. The purpose of this club is precisely to provide children, many of whom are not schooled and work to help their families, a space where they can learn to play chess.
By breaking the world chess marathon record, Onakoya hopes to raise a million dollars specifically to help underprivileged children in Africa.
"Chess in Slums" aims to use chess as a tool to drive social change by providing education, mentorship, and opportunities to children in poor areas. Onakoya's work has not only brought attention to the potential of these children but has also been recognized globally through various awards and public speaking engagements.