Guinness World Record Ignores Nigerian Chess Champion, Announces Norwegians as New Chess Record Holders

 

Nigerian chess champion, Tunde Onakoya has been ignored by the Guinness World Record.

 

This is as GWR named Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, two men from Norway as the holders of the the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

 

In a recent blog post, GWR said Blikra Vea and Bryn “earned a place in history” after playing chess for 61 hours, 03 minutes, and 34 seconds.

 

The British reference book added that the feat was achieved in Stavanger, Norway, on June 4, 2024.

 

“In a stunning display of endurance and mental fortitude, and after playing a total of 383 five-minute blitz games, the record was officially confirmed at 10 p.m. local time in Stavanger, Norway,” it said.

 

The GWR, however, remained silent on Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate, who completed a 60-hour chess marathon in New York without losing a single game.

 

On April 17, Onakoya embarked on his record-breaking attempt and even played chess with Shawn Martinez, also a chess master. During the attempt, he launched a fundraiser to empower illiterate children across Africa through the feat.

 

On April 20, the Nigerian surpassed the 56-hour mark; the previous record set by two other Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad on November 11, 2018.

 

GWR is typically expected to vet an attempt before confirming that a new record has been set on any task.

 

While Blikra Vea and Bryn’s record of 61 hours may be ahead of Onakoya’s 60 hours, the British reference book appeared to have taken no notice of the Nigerian’s attempt.