BY: JOSHUA ADINOYI
Kogi Chess Coach, Ichado Innocent, has congratulated renowned Chess Master, Tunde Onakoya for his efforts at breaking and sending new Guinness World Records for the longest Chess Marathon after playing sixty hours nonstop in New York City’s iconic Times Square.
Coach Innocent in an interview with our Correspondent in Lokoja Kogi State Capital, said the feat was not achieved over night, noting that it took hard work, focus, dedication and determination to achieve such.
He pointed out that the Lagosian has in various phora displayed his worth in the game of Chess, describing Onakoya’s achievement as an encouragement to other Chess players, especially the young ones.
Ichado Innocent who doubles as the President, Kogi State Chess Club, encouraged him to continue in his good works, praying to God to take him to greater heights.
Coach Ichado emphasized that the game requires critical thinking, noting that it goes a long way in guiding one to know the right decision to make at critical moments.
He stressed the need for all and sundry to support the growth of the Game in Nigeria, calling on well-to-do individuals, sports enthusiasts and Cooperate bodies to contribute to its growth.
The Kogi Chess Coach who has led young Chess Players to win several laurels for the State, enjoined players of the Game to sustain their efforts and commitment to the Board Game, assuring that it will pay off.
In Kogi State, the Chess Coach said the Game is beginning to gain relevance, stressing that the achievement of Tunde will contribute immensely to the development of the Game Nationwide.
He promised to continue to do his best at impacting the lives of others positively especially the young ones through the Game, describing Chess as a Game with several advantages.
The Twenty-nine-year-old Nigerian Chess Champion and Children Education Advocate, Tunde Onakoya, broke the world record for the longest Chess Marathon after playing sixty hours nonstop in New York City’s iconic Times Square.
Tunde who initially planned to play for 58 hours to surpass the 56 hrs, 9 minutes, 37seconds World record earlier held by Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018, ended up setting new Record of 60 hrs as he was joined by American Co Chess Champion, Shawn Martinez, to achieve the feat.
