Tunde Onakoya to Attempt New World Record After Becoming First WR Chess Global Ambassador

Chess in Slums Africa (CISA) convener and social entrepreneur Tunde Onakoya has become the first Global Ambassador for WR Chess, a global network of elite chess players, coaches, and stakeholders, with the goal of expanding access to the game. Following this partnership, he will be joining the founder of the organisation, Wadim Rosenstein, in a Guinness World Record attempt for the longest Chess Marathon between June 25 and 28, this year. 

All of this was revealed in separate announcements made via X on March 1st and 2nd by Onakoya and Rosenstein, respectively. Per the latter announcement, the world record attempt will take place in Lima, Peru, during the World Mining Congress. 

In his acknowledgment post, Onakoya expressed that he was honored to have been appointed, stating that the WR Chess founder, Rosenstein, has quietly supported the African chess community for years, and that as part of the role, he would be promoting chess across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He added that, “One important thing Wadim and I share in common is we both came from nothing but chess opened doors we never imagined. Now we want to extend this to the world.” 

In his post, Rosenstein mentioned that the record attempt was a global statement, “bringing together excellence and international stars and players under one roof.” 

The record attempt will involve leading chess grandmasters with the goal of making the Peruvian capital, Lima, “the world capital of chess,” and raising money for vulnerable populations. 

Tunde Onakoya, who is currently recognised as a National Master, with a 2165 International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating, will be attempting to extend the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, for the third time. His first attempt back in April 2024, alongside opponent Shawn Martinez, was unsuccessful, after they played for 60 hours straight in Times Square, New York City, surpassing Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad’s previous 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 second 2018 record, but were unapproved by the Guinness World Record body. The pair were able to raise $120,000 of their $1 million target for African education, with this attempt. 

The second attempt, which took place a year later from April 17 to 20, 2025, was successful, although it was six hours shy of the 70 hour target. It had been necessary to beat the 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds record set by another Norwegian Duo Odin Bilkra Vea and Askild Bryn in June 2024. This attempt finally earned Onakoya the record, with $100,000 successfully raised. 

Already, fans across the globe have expressed their excitement at the attempt by Onakoya, who is also an active board member of the New York City-based non-profit The Gift of Chess. But it remains to be seen how much this attempt yields in donations, with more details expected in due course.