The Game of Chess: Checkmate to Change
On Sunday, April 20, 2025, Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, playing non-stop for 64 hours at Times Square, New York, United States of America. He surpassed the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by Norwegian players Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea in June 2024.
Yet, for Onakoya, this was more than a personal triumph. It was a bold declaration of mission: to build the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria and Africa, and use chess as a transformative tool for social change.
Chess as a Catalyst for Change
The game of chess is one of the oldest and most widely played board games in the world. It is contested by two players on a 64-square chequerboard, using specially crafted pieces in contrasting colours, usually white and black. Each player follows a set of established rules while trying to trap the opponent’s king in checkmate.
The origin of chess traces back to 6th century India, where it was known as “chaturanga”. Originally an intellectual pursuit enjoyed mainly by the elite, chess experienced a surge in global interest during the 20th century, fueled by the rise of professional and state-supported players competing for world championship titles and lucrative prizes.
Today, organised tournaments and online platforms draw players of all ages and backgrounds from every corner of the globe.
Chess is revered as a strategy game that demands a high level of intellectual engagement and critical thinking. Each move requires foresight, analysis, and an understanding of the opponent's strategy. Kids can learn chess very quickly when given the right environment and motivation. That’s why chess in schools and children’s clubs is encouraged.
Tunde Onakoya’s initiative, Chess in Slums Africa, turns the 64 squares of a chessboard into a powerful engine for empowerment. Through it, he uplifts marginalised children across Africa, offering them education, critical thinking skills, and hope for a better future.
"Chess is life in miniature. Chess is a struggle, chess battles," said Garry Kasparov. For Onakoya, chess is more than a metaphor; it’s a means to break the generational chains of poverty.
Sub-Saharan Africa, according to a 2023 World Bank report, harbours the highest concentration of children living in poverty, with 40.2% affected. These children are often deprived of quality education, healthcare, and life opportunities.
Nigeria’s 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index further highlights that investing in children is among the most potent strategies for eradicating long-term poverty.
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