Nigerian chess whiz stays up more than 50 hours playing in Times Square to break world record

Chessmaster Tunde Onakoya took on a line-up of local players.

A Nigerian chess prodigy is attempting to break the world record by playing the game for more than 50 consecutive hours in Times Square, defeating a lineup of skilled players despite a severe lack of sleep.

Tunde Onakoya, 29, from Lagos, aims to surpass the current Guinness record for the “longest chess marathon” of 56 hours, 9 minutes, with assistance from a rotating roster of challengers. “It’s like playing against Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant; you’re starstruck,” remarked Bernard Chong, 43, a Filipino angel investor who lost to the chess master. “I made a small mistake, and he pounced on it.”

Tunde yawns in hour 39.

Onakoya mentioned that he's been consuming coffee and refraining from eating to maintain alertness during over 197 matches of the mentally taxing game. “I’m exhausted,” he confessed to The Post on Friday afternoon. “My mind is sharp, but my body is tired.”

The early hours of the morning were particularly challenging for Onakoya. “Around 4 a.m. this morning was the hardest struggle, just to stay awake. But I’ve pushed past that hurdle, and the rest is just a matter of tenacity,” he stated. “I think I can see it through to the very end from here.”

Onakoya is raising money to help chess players in Africa. He even played against Post reporter Jack Morphet (right)

Onakoya encountered a setback on Thursday when he accidentally drank coffee with milk despite being lactose intolerant, causing illness. Raising funds for The Gift of Chess and Chess in Slums Africa charities, Onakoya set up a sign-up sheet for challengers, including a local pro, a financial industry worker, and a chess teacher.

Tyler Schwartz, 39, of Sunset Park, ranked among the top 10% of chess players internationally, commended Onakoya’s mental fortitude. “You can tell he’s definitely tired, but he’s still playing great,” said Schwartz, referring to his ranking on lichess.com. “He’s not physically moving as fast; he’s taking his time with the pieces because he’s exhausted, but mentally, he’s incredibly tough and focused.”

Onakoya set up a sign-up sheet for challengers, which included Post reporter Jack Morphet (sitting with baseball cap).

Although Onakoya primarily played against Shawn Martinez, 34, of East Harlem, they didn’t keep track of wins and losses. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know how I’m doing this. I’m running on fumes—energy drinks, coffees, teas,” Martinez admitted. “I haven’t had a complete meal in the last three days. I don’t want to get sleepy like after a big Thanksgiving dinner.”

The current chess marathon record of 56 hours, 9 minutes was set in 2018 by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway.

Tunde felt the cold NYC temperatures during his chess marathon.

Onakoya had played chess for more than 50 straight hours as of Friday.

One opponent likened Onakoya to NBA greats Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.