Tunde Onakoya, Shawn Martinez Break Chess Marathon Record in Times Square
Onakoya and Martinez Set Guinness Record in Times Square for Longest Chess Game, Advancing a Mission Beyond the Board
In a feat of endurance and unwavering purpose, Nigerian chess champion and education advocate Tunde Onakoya, alongside U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez, made history in Times Square by playing chess nonstop for 64 hours, officially breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Their achievement, confirmed on April 20, 2025, eclipses the previous benchmark of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by Norway’s Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn.
Times Square Becomes the World’s Chessboard
Set against the towering digital billboards and round-the-clock buzz of Times Square, the match began on April 17 and concluded in the early hours of April 20. Over the course of 64 hours, Onakoya and Martinez played game after game under strict Guinness World Records guidelines, with only brief breaks allotted for food and rest.
The pair’s mental stamina and strategic clarity under pressure drew live spectators, online followers, and widespread media attention—turning the chess marathon into a global moment.
A Mission Beyond the Game
For Onakoya, co-founder of the nonprofit Chess in Slums Africa, this record wasn’t just about pushing physical and cognitive limits. It was a clarion call to action.
“This was never just about breaking a record,” Onakoya shared during a post-marathon statement. “It’s about showing young people back home that through something as simple as a chessboard, they can rewrite their own narratives.”
Founded in Lagos, Chess in Slums Africa uses the game of chess to empower children in underserved communities. The organization provides mentorship, education, and opportunities to those who often have none.
Amplifying the Impact
While Martinez, a Brooklyn-born chess master and community mentor, brought deep experience and passion to the board, Onakoya anchored the marathon with purpose. Their marathon helped raise significant funds and awareness for Chess in Slums Africa, fueling the nonprofit’s ongoing programs across the continent.
The record-breaking event marks another chapter in Onakoya’s growing legacy as a global ambassador for educational equity through chess. Earlier features in The Hype Magazine documented his ambitious attempts and inspiring rise from the slums of Nigeria to the world stage—a journey fueled by unshakable belief in the power of minds over circumstance.
A Global Moment in the Making
Supporters and fans worldwide, including celebrities, philanthropists, and international chess federations, flooded social media with congratulatory messages. The feat resonated far beyond the chess community, with viewers seeing it as a metaphor for endurance, vision, and global solidarity.
Video Credit: TVC Entertainment, Lagos State, Nigeria (YouTube)
With this historic moment etched into the Guinness World Records, Onakoya and Martinez have proven their prowess on the board and shown how the game can be used to uplift, educate, and empower.
For more coverage of this journey, see our related articles below
The King’s Gambit for Humanity: Tunde Onakoya’s Epic Return to Times Square
The Gift of Chess: A Driving Force for Change
Both world record attempts were supported and powered by The Gift of Chess, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Russ Makofsky that aims to donate one million chess sets worldwide. The initiative is already making waves with 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.
Recently, The Gift of Chess expanded its efforts toward transforming lives globally through its sustainable chess sets, which feature bespoke pieces designed and manufactured in the USA. Join the mission to donate 1 million chess sets by 2030 and bring the power of chess to underserved communities.
We’re informed that limited-edition signed chess sets from the world record holder are available to commemorate the record-shattering achievement.
Discover more on The Gift of Chess’s official website.
