Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, alongside his U.S. counterpart, Shawn Martinez, has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon of 64 hours.

Announcing this in a series of posts on X.com on Sunday, Onakoya revealed that they have been officially certified by GWR as a validation of their achievement.

Onakoya and Martinez set new chess marathon record of 64 hours Credit: X| Tunde_OD

Sharing pictures of himself and Martinez with the certificate, Onakoya wrote, “We did the impossible and gave the world something new to believe in. Official record holders of the Longest Chess Marathon for 64 hours. We did it. It’s time to go home.”

“It is possible to do great things from a small place.”

He also congratulated Martinez saying, “Officially amazing! Congrats on our shared achievement Shawn Martinez!”

The chess marathon, which took place at the iconic Times Square in New York City, began on Wednesday, April 17, and concluded on Sunday, April 20.

At one point during the challenge, Martinez’s wife brought their newborn twins to the site, offering a touching family moment amid the intense competition.