Tunde Onakoya Biography: Age, Net Worth, Family, Height, Education, Personal Life, Wiki, Guinness World Record 2024
Tunde Onakoya, born on 6 October 1994, is a Nigerian chess player and coach. He has achieved the remarkable feat of holding the Guinness World Records for the longest marathon chess game.
Additionally, he is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, an organization dedicated to promoting chess in underprivileged areas.
Tunde has made significant contributions to the community by organizing various initiatives for children residing in slums across Lagos state, including Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko, and most recently, Oshodi.
These interventions involve engaging the children in a two-week session that aims to unlock their potential through the game of chess, while also providing them with opportunities to enhance their reading, writing, and basic literacy skills.
Career Details
Onakoya’s journey into the world of chess began at a humble barber’s shop in the slums of Ikorodu, Lagos, where he spent his childhood.
Due to financial constraints, his mother made a selfless offer to work as a cleaner at a school in exchange for his secondary education fees.
This opportunity paved the way for Onakoya to excel in chess, eventually earning him the impressive rank of the 13th best chess player in Nigeria.
Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, Onakoya obtained a diploma in computer science from Yaba College of Technology.
During his time there, he showcased his exceptional skills by winning a gold medal for the college in the Nigeria Polytechnic Games and the RCCG Chess Championship.
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Additionally, he emerged victorious in prestigious chess tournaments such as the National Friends of Chess and the Chevron Chess Open.
Onakoya’s remarkable achievements caught the attention of CNN African Voices, leading to a feature on his inspiring journey.
Furthermore, he serves as a board member for The Gift of Chess, a non-profit organization based in New York City.
The pinnacle of Onakoya’s chess career came on 20 April 2024, when he shattered the world chess marathon record in New York, United States.
Displaying unwavering determination, he played continuously for over 60 hours, leaving an indelible mark on the chess world.
Chess In Slums Africa
Chess in Slums Africa was established in September 2018 as a non-profit organization run by volunteers with the goal of empowering children in underprivileged areas through the game of chess.
In September 2020, the organization partnered with Chess.com to utilize chess as an educational tool in classrooms, chess clubs, and for parents.
By June 2021, Chess in Slums Africa had provided training to more than 200 children and secured lifelong scholarships for 20 of them.
Additionally, in May 2021, a 10-year-old boy named Ferdinand, who has cerebral palsy, emerged as the winner of a chess tournament in Makoko.
He went on to meet and compete with Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State.
Guinness World Record
The chess marathon took place in Times Square, New York City, United States.
Its objective was to surpass the previous world record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
Initially, Onakoya aimed to play for 58 hours, but he went even further, extending the marathon to a full 60 hours.
However, Onakoya’s mission went beyond breaking records. It had a profound cause – to raise US$1 million for the education of children in Africa, especially those who lack access to quality education.
Throughout his attempt to set a new record, he received support from the Nigerian community in New York, former vice president of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo, and Kashim Shettima. Additionally, Afrobeats stars like Davido and Adekunle Gold made appearances to show their support.
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