Nigerian Chess Master Goes Superhuman for 60 Hours, Breaks Record, and Raises Millions for Kids

Written By : Priscilla Boakye 

Imagine playing chess nonstop for over two whole days! That's exactly what Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya did in the heart of New York City's Times Square. Not only did he pull off this incredible feat, but he's also on his way to becoming a national hero and raising a whopping $1 million for a fantastic cause: education for African children!

Onakoya set out to break the world record for the longest chess marathon, originally aiming for 58 hours. But this brainiac went above and beyond, clocking in a mind-blowing 60 hours straight! That's more chess than most of us play in a lifetime! He even smashed the previous record set in 2018.

While battling fatigue and probably some serious brain strain, Onakoya faced off against US chess champion Shawn Martinez. Think Rocky facing off against his opponent, but instead of boxing gloves, they had chess pieces! To keep his energy up, Onakoya fueled up with delicious Nigerian jollof rice and jammed out to Afrobeats music. Talk about a cultural fusion!

His dedication even caught the attention of some major A-listers! Nigerian superstars Davido and Adekunle Gold cheered him on from afar, and even the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, congratulated Onakoya for showing the world just how tough and smart Nigerians are. Back home in Nigeria, the whole country was buzzing with excitement. Watch parties erupted in Lagos, and digital billboards displayed messages of support.

But Onakoya's mission goes way beyond breaking records. Through his charity, Chess in Slums Africa, he's using chess as a tool to empower underprivileged children. By teaching them this strategic game, he's equipping them with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will benefit them for life.

So next time you hear about chess, don't just think about nerds in dusty libraries. Think about Tunde Onakoya, the champion who played for 60 hours straight, all to help kids get a brighter future. Now that's a truly winning move!