Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya broke the previous record on Saturday by setting the record for the longest marathon game of chess.
This was confirmed by the chestmaster in a post on his official X account.
The creator of Chess in Slums Africa is Onakoya, a Nigerian chess player and coach.
President Bola Tinubu celebrated Onakoya on social media after his most recent achievement.
He said, “I congratulate Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD on setting a new world chess record and sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim.
“I celebrate this Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his rare feat, but especially for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess.
“Tunde has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and propel innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even from corners of disadvantage.
“Nigeria’s youths have demonstrated in all fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the pulsating skit-making enterprise, education, science, and technology, that great exploits can truly come from small quarters.
“I commend the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour.
“I assure all citizens that my administration remains strongly committed to creating and expanding opportunities for the youth to explore and exercise their abilities and become the symbols of greatness our nation represents into the future.
“The record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018—who played for 56 hours and nine minutes with the goal of reaching 58 hours—was surpassed by Onakoya.
“The challenge, which is taking place at Times Square in New York City, has now lasted more than 56 hours and a few minutes, and he has already surpassed the previous record holders.”
