The founder of ‘Chess in the Slum’ Tunde Onakoya who broke the Guinness World Record in April 2024 in new York where he played a 60-hour marathon chess is gearing for the secon attempt.

However before the event, the Nigerian chess coach explained why he wears cap and also wear for his protégées.

Onakoya who during an interview on Channels Television said growing up in poverty taught him empathy because the real pain wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from things like education and justice. He said this experience drives his passion to help others.

In a Thursday post on X, that he titled “The One Who Wears Big Caps for Little Children” the chess prodigy explained that on a particular night, he had met with two different teens from opposing backgrounds, which reinforced his vision on the reality of the world we live in.

His post read in part: “It was 9pm on a Tuesday night. I was at the mall picking up some last-minute items. Two boys, scruffy and barefoot approached me at the car park. They were hungry and hadn’t eaten all day. I asked their names.

 ‘“Yusuff,” said one. “Ayomide,” said the other. Both young teenagers. As I turned to check for cash in the car, the light hit my face and Yusuff immediately recognized me and blurted out “Chess players observe,” I was stunned.

“That was our mantra at Chess in Slums, it was what we taught the kids. I asked how he knew this, he explained that he had seen me months prior at their ghetto.

“This made sense as we had spent the entire month of December teaching chess and maths to street children in that ghetto. Yusuff wasn’t part of the training but on the day of the final tournament, he watched from a distance as the other kids’ chanted “chess players observe”. It stayed with him ever since.

“He told me his story. His mother died during childbirth. His father disappeared. He lived with his ailing grandmother for some time but had to leave for the streets to fend for himself. It’s been five years of trying to survive on his own, Five years of growing up too fast…He is 15 years old now.

“Then, something surreal happened.

 “A white Range Rover pulled up beside us. A woman rolled down the window, “Chess master!” she called out. She stepped out with her son Jayden. Impeccably dressed. British accent. She wanted a photo. Jayden loves chess. She’s a fan.

 “So there they stood, Jayden and Yusuff. Both teenagers. One in branded sneakers. The other barefoot. One polished by privilege. The other hardened by survival.

“As I asked them to introduce themselves, Yusuff’s confidence crumbled. He looked down. His voice faltered.

“And in that moment, I saw it: The cruel reality of the world we live in where a boy like Jayden and a boy like Yusuff would never meet except by accident or because I happened to stand between them.

“But what separated them wasn’t merit or character, It was birth. The arbitrary lottery that decides who gets to dream, and who must survive.” Onakoya narrated.

He further explained that it’s the birth that privilege some, that equally impoverished others, not because they are less brilliant but because of their circumstance and their pains are shielded behind their rough edges.

He continued: “I have met thousands of bright eyed children like Yusuffs in this life, whose pain is invisible, and by no fault of theirs live in a world where their suffering doesn’t matter. Sometimes, we save them. Sometimes, we fail. But I will never stop carrying this burden in my heart.

“This is why I wear big caps for little children and wear one myself. So the world may see them in all their colors, not for the suffering they bear, but for what I know they can truly become.

“We are trying to build the largest free school in Africa. A sanctuary for every child like Yusuff where their dreams won’t die quietly.

“I do this so their dreams may find validation in my sacrifice.” The chess coach explained.

The chess coach is making a second attempt at Marathon Chess, the first attempt was for 60 hours which made him break the Guinness World Record in April 2024.

“I’m back here in this very moment that started last year in Times Square,” he said. “We played chess for 60 hours. We pushed the limits of the human mind and gave the world something new to believe in.”

In a Tuesday post on Instagram, he disclosed:  “Your support helped us build an innovation hub in Lagos, Nigeria, and support the education of thousands of children across Africa. Now I’m back—but this time, I’m not alone. I’m here with five incredible children from Nigeria, who have come from the slums—against all odds—to become champions here.

“From winning tournaments in Athens, Georgia, to speaking at the United Nations, and winning the gold medal at the United Nations Chess Championship, they (five slum children) have truly shown us that talent is universal, but opportunity isn’t.”

The new attempt is scheduled to run from April 17 to 20, 2025. Onakoya and Martinez aim to surpass the current chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players in June 2024.

“So now we’re in the endgame. There’s a new world record set by two Norwegian players. And on the 17th of April, 2025, I, along with U.S. National Master Shawn Martinez will be breaking that record—and setting a new one for 70 hours.”

The five children, he said, will also participate in the event for a few hours each day. He extended an open invitation to local players in New York.

“This is an open call to every chess player in New York City: if you think you’re good enough to challenge them, we invite you to come play them.”

“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.

“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.”

In April 2024, Onakoya and Martinez had broken the previous Guinness World Record of 56 hours — held since 2018 by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad — after completing a 60-hour game marathon. However, their triumph was short-lived, with the new 61-hour benchmark being established just two months later.

During his record-setting performance in 2024, New York’s Nigerian community turned out in force, offering traditional meals like jollof rice and energetic music to sustain him. Nigerian superstar Davido also publicly supported him and presented him with a 30BG chain.

Photo credit: X|@Tunde_OD

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth