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Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, on Saturday, April 20 set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess.
Tunde Onakoya confirmed this in a post on his official X account.
He wrote, āWe have done it.
āWeāre pushing to 60 hours guys. In fact, weāre not stopping yet. Letās keep going.
āAlso, we have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why ā the reason we are doing this.
āLetās demonstrate to the world the incredible power of love. Together, we can make this happen.”
Onakoya broke the record of Norwegian players Hallvard Haug FlatebĆø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who played for 56-hour, 9-minute in 2018 and aimed at reaching 58 hours target.
The challenge, which is underway at New York Cityās iconic Times Square, has currently exceeded 56 hours and a few minutes and already set him adrift the previous record holders.
The new record holder said his attempt was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.
In a statement by his foundation, Chess in Slums Africa, Onakoya said he will be joined by his US counterpart, Shawn Martinez.
It read in part, āThis record attempt requires a team of two players. Tunde Onakoya (NG) will be facing off against Shawn Martinez (US) for the challenge. Both players hold the title of National Masters.
āShawn Martinez, a US National Master, renowned New York City chess legend, and chess coach, poses as a formidable adversary. Both Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez will hold the record title.ā
āThis record is for the longest time to continuously play chess. This record is to be mentioned in hours, minutes, and seconds. This record is to be attempted by a team of two players,ā it added.
After about 23 hours into the game, Martinez joined to make the new world record.
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