Nigerian chess maestro Tunde Onakoya has set his sights on a 70-hour chess milestone after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon of 61 hours.
Onakoya passed the 62-hour mark on Sunday alongside United States chess master Shawn Martinez.
The chess marathon, which took place at Times Square in New York City, started on Wednesday, April 17, and will conclude on Sunday, April 20.
Onakoya took to his official X account to announce the historic achievement, emphasising that the goal is not just to break a record but to raise awareness and support for building the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
“For all the dreamers! We’ve officially broken the record!” he penned.
“If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do? Sometimes the world won’t hand you 70 hours on a golden platter.
“Sometimes, you have to carve it out of your own breath, your own becoming. Not for applause. Not for records. But for the quiet dreamers who need to see someone leap—so they know it’s possible to fly.
“It’s been over 50 hours of chess beneath the lights of Times Square. Every move, every hour, a love letter to children who’ve never known the luxury of a second chance.
“If your heart has ever burned for something bigger than yourself, come find us. Stand with us.
“Proceeds from my limited edition chess sets will go directly towards our fundraising goal: to build a tuition-free school for homeless children.
“This is a dream I’ve carried for years. Because no child should ever have their childhood sacrificed for survival. No dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty,” Onakoya added.