Davido’s gold chain, singing and drum-beating Nigerians, Fox News, jollof rice, etc., are some of the side attractions that have featured as the renowned chess Master, Tunde Onakoya, nears the end to his 58-hour unbeaten chess record quest.
In appreciation, Tunde had tweeted at Davido along with a video: ’30 billion for the children as
@davido places his chain around my neck. 😄 Thank you very much for stopping by after your successful outing at @TheGarden. 🙏🏾
30 billion for the children as @davido places his chain around my neck. 😄
Thank you very much for stopping by after your successful outing at @TheGarden. 🙏🏾Keep streaming. Keep sharing. Keep donating. https://t.co/hCAAlGMBJA#ChessMarathonForChange pic.twitter.com/DGT0V8D1ng
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 19, 2024
The roll call of those who have come out to support Onakoya are Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold; Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City, Ambassador Peter Egopija, and a 2023 presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, among others.
The quest is also doing a $1m fundraiser for children with the gift of chess.
More important, Nigeria’s uncrowned national dish, jollof rice, also featured in the history-making quest.
Sharing updates on his X account on Thursday, Onakoya wrote, “Game number 100. 87 against my main opponent #CoachShawnMar. 13 against external challengers.
“We are now 31 hours in, with 27 to go! That puts us officially past the halfway mark. It’s looking possible now. Keep streaming, keep donating.”
The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10am on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8pm on April 19.
Onakoya is engaging in an intense chess marathon, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.
The current Guinness World Record, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018, stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.
As of early Friday [today], Tunde has done 40 hours, having tweeted: “40 hours in! We are just 18 hours from the moment we have all been waiting for. The love from different corners of the world is incredible, and my gratitude is beyond words. Let’s continue spreading the word until we hit the 58-hour and $1m milestone for the education of children with the gift of chess. Thank you!”
See the video (Credit: X | Tunde_OD):
Nigerians cheer their own:
Is this what love feels like? pic.twitter.com/H9BWcFLWdw
— The Gift of Chess (@thegiftofchess) April 19, 2024
