The King’s Gambit for Humanity: Tunde Onakoya’s Epic Return to Times Square
With a chessboard and an unshakable vision, Nigeria’s Tunde Onakoya prepares for his second Guinness World Record attempt—this time, with five young champions by his side.
NEW YORK CITY— At the world’s crossroads, beneath the pulsing lights of Times Square, a quiet revolution is preparing to make its move. One man. One board. And one mission that’s bigger than the game itself.
On April 17, 2025, Tunde Onakoya, the acclaimed founder of Chess in Slums Africa, returns to Times Square for a second historic attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Chess Marathon. But this year’s feat isn’t about going solo—five children from his Chess in Slums initiative will stand beside him in the heart of New York City, as players, witnesses, and living proof of what happens when potential is nurtured instead of overlooked.
From the Streets of Lagos to the World’s Stage
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Onakoya knows the weight of untapped brilliance. “I was that kid,” he reflects, “eager to learn, but growing up in a place where opportunities were scarce.” Instead of leaving that reality behind, he made it his mission to change it—for others.
In 2018, he founded Chess in Slums Africa to empower children in marginalized communities by teaching them chess—a game that demands critical thinking, discipline, and self-belief. Since then, his organization has reached thousands of children and captured international attention.
In April 2024, Onakoya stunned the world when he played an astonishing 60-hour nonstop chess marathon in Times Square, setting a new world record. It wasn’t just a victory for him—it was a symbolic checkmate against global inequality.
The Marathon Continues—Now With a Team
This year, Onakoya aims higher. With support from The Gift of Chess, a U.S.-based nonprofit and global partner, he will attempt to surpass his own record with a new 70-hour, no-loss chess marathon. Unlike last time, however, he will be joined by five children from Chess in Slums Africa—many of whom had never stepped outside their neighborhoods before.
These young players will engage New Yorkers in impromptu matches during street activations, share their stories with international media, and stand as co-ambassadors of the mission. Their presence transforms this attempt into more than a personal milestone—it becomes a collective act of defiance against the limitations imposed by poverty and exclusion.
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Global Chess Master Tunde Onakoya to Attempt Guinness World Record for Longest Chess Marathon in Times Square, NYC
Why Chess? Why Now?
“Chess is more than a game,” says Onakoya. “It’s a way of thinking—of planning your next move even when you’re at a disadvantage.” For children facing systemic barriers, the game becomes a metaphor for life, and a blueprint for change.
With a goal of donating one million chess sets worldwide, the initiative is already making waves: 116,000 sets distributed across 25+ countries, and 1,000 children granted fully funded educational scholarships with healthcare support. The game is no longer just played on a board—it’s being played out in classrooms, communities, and conversations across the globe.
A Platform for Global Change
The 2025 campaign is more than just a record attempt. It includes street chess activations, live media coverage, a digital storytelling campaign, and a bold legacy initiative: To build the largest free school for marginalized children in Africa.
Tunde’s message to the world is clear: “This isn’t charity—it’s justice.” The children traveling with him are not subjects of sympathy, but symbols of possibility. And Times Square, with its blinking lights and global visibility, is the perfect arena.
The Final Countdown
As April 17 approaches, momentum is building. The world is invited to “partner, play, and promote”—or simply pull up a chair and witness a new kind of history unfold. There will be live streams, behind-the-scenes content, and chances to interact with the campaign both online and in person.
“This is a movement,” Onakoya says. “A record might last a moment. But hope, once planted in a child’s heart, lasts forever.”
Join the movement. Support the mission. Watch history rise from the slums to the skyline.
Because when children rise, the world rises with them ~ The Gift of Chess
Learn More & Support:
On the Web: https://www.thegiftofchess.org | Join the conversations on social media: #ChessMarathon2025 #TheGiftofChess
