In a move that has captured the imagination of Nigerians and chess lovers worldwide, Tunde Onakoya, the celebrated founder of Chess in Slums Africa, is gearing up for an audacious 70-hour chess marathon right at the heart of New York City’s iconic Times Square. This marathon, scheduled to run from April 17 to 20, is not just a quest for a new Guinness World Record but a clarion call to rally support for the education of homeless children across Nigeria.
Onakoya, whose inspirational journey began in the slums of Ikorodu, Lagos, has never shied away from using the game of chess as a tool for empowerment. His story is one of sheer resilience—a young boy who learned chess in a barber’s shop, overcame financial hardship with his mother working as a cleaner to pay his school fees, and rose to become one of Nigeria’s top chess players and a global advocate for social change.
This latest challenge marks Onakoya’s second major attempt at the world record. In April 2024, he stunned the world by playing chess non-stop for 60 hours alongside American chess master Shawn Martinez, smashing the previous 56-hour record set by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad. However, the title was soon reclaimed by another Norwegian pair with a 61-hour feat. Now, Onakoya and Martinez are returning with a bigger dream: to set a new bar at 70 hours and, more importantly, to draw global attention to the plight of Nigeria’s street children.
“My dream is to inspire the world and build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” Onakoya declared, underlining the humanitarian drive behind his marathon. The event will also feature five young prodigies from Chess in Slums Africa—children who have risen from adversity and are living proof that greatness can emerge from the most unlikely places. Their participation will add a deeply human touch to the campaign, reminding the world that this is about much more than just chess.
Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative has already transformed the lives of over a thousand children in Lagos’ poorest communities, providing scholarships, mentorship, and hope where there was none. The organisation has spent over $400,000 to reach five slum communities, delivering more than 3,600 hours of chess training. The goal is ambitious: to train over a million children in five years, breaking the cycle of poverty through education and opportunity.
The marathon is also an open invitation to New Yorkers and the global chess community. “Come play. Come be part of something bigger,” Onakoya urged. His efforts have drawn support from prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and even Afrobeats stars like Davido and Adekunle Gold, all united in the belief that education is the key to a brighter future for Africa’s youth.
As the world watches, Tunde Onakoya stands ready to make history once again—not just as a chess master, but as a beacon of hope for millions of children who dare to dream beyond their circumstances.
