GWR: Chessmaster Tunde Onakoya and Challenger Martinez’s Chess Marathon Update

Chessplayer Tunde Onakoya and his United States counterpart, Shawn Martinez, have notched up more than 24 hours of the 58 they hope to hit for a new world record in marathon chess.

So far, Onakoya has racked up more than 60 wins. The dols are equally mounting in the campaign for $1 million to support global chess education

Chess in Slums Africa, the foundation Onakoya set up, gave the update as the challenge continues.

In a Thursday statement it issued as “Clarification and Updates on Tunde Onakoya’s Guinness World Record Attempt”, the foundation outlined the rules of the challenge as Guinness World Records prescribes them.

“This record attempt requires a team of two players. Tunde Onakoya (NG) will be facing off against Shawn Martinez (US) for the challenge. Both players hold the title of National Masters.

Shawn Martinez, a US National Master, renowned New York City chess legend, and chess coach, also came as a worthy adversary. 

“Both Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez will hold the record title.”

It further stated that the record is for the longest time to continuously play chess; both players must play against each other for the same duration; the attempt take place in a public place/venue open to public inspection; and a five minutes’ rest goes for each hour of activity.

For the fundraiser,  $33,000 greenbacks have banked up.

He thanked those who have pitched in.

“We are doing this to raise funds for our project to be able to give millions of children with access to education the opportunity they deserve to learn,” he said. “Let us raise the money that is needed so all this will not be in vain.”

“Recognised donation platforms for official information: @chessinslumsafrica (IG, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), @thegiftofchess (IG, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn), @tunde_OD (Twitter), @tunde_onakoya (IG),” the statement added.

Onakoya’s manager had earlier revealed that the chessmaster would play two sets of games simultaneously. The second being against random players.