Tuned Onakoya, chess player and coach, founder of ‘Chess in the Slum’ who holds Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, announced that he will be playing against 15 of MTN top chess player at its Lagos state headquarter in Falomo, Ikoyi .
Onakoya’s post on his X time line had read: “Happy to announce that as the official brand partner for @MTNNG, I’ll be facing off against 15 of the company’s top chess players in a simultaneous chess match at MTN HQ tomorrow I have been challenged to win all games on demand including the one with the CEO.
“Wish me luck!” he implored his fans
The Chess coach who just became an ambassador for the service provider, in one of the company’s adverts that throws light on his chess journey said “nothing ever happen by chance”
Reminiscing about his growth and achievement when he saw his MTN adverts he had posted The: “Saw myself on TV today and it brought a few tears—that 10 year old kid in the slums of Ikorodu who could barely speak an English word and thought there was no place for him in the world has defined his own path. Someday, the world will know your name.”
In April 2024 had broken record of the longest chess marathon after playing for 58 consecutive hours at the New York’s iconic Times Square.
Onakoya hopes to raise $1m (£805,000) for charity to support chess education for millions of children.
MTN is South Africa Mobile telecommunications provider that has been in operation in Nigeria since August 2001

Photo credit: X/@Tunde_OD

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth