By Victor Kanayo
The Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially recognised Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya for his latest achievement in the chess marathon record of 64 hours.
While recognising his exploits, GWR presented him with a certificate.
Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa, together with his chess partner Shawn Martinez from Puerto Rico, broke the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, which had been held by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad since June 2024.
The non-stop chess marathon started on 17 April and ended on 20 April 2025 in New York’s Times Square, initially aiming for a 70-hour session.
To celebrate his achievement, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa shared photos of the historic moment on social media.
“We did the impossible and gave the world something new to believe in. Official record holders of the Longest Chess Marathon for 64 hours. We did it,” he captioned the post.
“The longest chess marathon was achieved by Tunde Onakoya (Nigeria) and Shawn Martinez (Puerto Rico) in Times Square, New York, USA, from 17 to 20 April 2025,” the certificate reads.
This marks Onakoya’s second attempt, as he had earlier completed a 60-hour chess marathon in April 2024.
The achievement surpassed the previous 56-hour record set in 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad.
However, the record was not officially recognised at the time.
