In the heart of Times Square, New York, beneath the electric glare of the world’s most iconic billboards, Nigerian chess master and humanitarian Tunde Onakoya is doing far more than playing chess. He’s rewriting the narrative for millions of underprivileged children in Nigeria—one strategic move at a time. With an unwavering spirit, Onakoya embodies what it means to dream boldly, fight fiercely, and achieve extraordinarily.
Tunde Onakoya is not just a record-breaker; he is the face of a movement, the voice for the voiceless, and a quiet storm stirring global awareness. His latest feat—a 70-hour chess marathon—is not merely a test of endurance. It is a declaration. A cry for hope. A mission rooted in impact.
Partnering with U.S. chess master Shawn Martinez, Onakoya has broken the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, surpassing the previous 61-hour benchmark. Though the record is still subject to official ratification, the victory is already imprinted in the hearts of many.
But what makes this journey remarkable isn’t just the hours spent hunched over a chessboard. It’s the intention behind each move. “If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do?” Onakoya asked mid-marathon. For him, the answer is clear: use every second to build something that outlives you.
His goal? To raise funds for Nigeria’s largest tuition-free school for homeless children. A dream he’s nurtured with love and strategy, much like his chess games. Every pawn moved, every queen protected, is a symbol of resistance—against poverty, neglect, and the idea that children born into hardship must remain there.
“Every move, every hour, a love letter to children who’ve never known the luxury of a second chance,” he wrote. And true to his words, his actions echo louder than applause. With proceeds from his limited-edition chess sets, Onakoya is making room for dreams where once only survival existed.
This isn’t his first dance with endurance. In April 2024, he completed a 60-hour marathon—beating a 56-hour record. When that was eclipsed two months later by Norwegians clocking 61 hours, Tunde didn’t falter. He returned one year later, fueled by purpose, reaching not just for the stars, but for every child whose dreams were tucked away in dark corners.
Around him, Times Square transformed into a beacon of community. From the presence of Martinez’s newborn twins to children sitting across the board from their hero, the marathon became more than a game. It became a sanctuary of possibility.
Onakoya’s story is a testament to the power of resilience. It speaks to the Omakoya Dreamers—those who dare to challenge the status quo, who rise with fists clenched in quiet determination. Fighters who don’t just dream but do. Achievers who define success not by personal gain but by the lives they uplift.
As the world watches, one thing becomes clear: this is not just a record. It’s a revolution.
And in Onakoya’s own words, “It’s not just about the hours. It’s about what you do with them.”
Here’s to the dreamers. Here’s to the fight.
Here’s to 70 hours that changed the world.
