Chess-in-Slums Founder Breaks Guinness World Record, Returns Home to Hero’s Welcome

Tunde Onakoya, the founder of the Chess-in-Slums project, has returned to Nigeria as a national hero after successfully breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. On Wednesday, April 17, Onakoya embarked on a remarkable journey to break the previous record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds. With the support of American chess champion Shawn Martinez, Onakoya surpassed his initial goal of 58 hours, setting a new record of 60 hours at around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Onakoya’s inspiring quest aimed to not only establish a world record but also to raise funds for the education of underprivileged children across Africa.

BBC to Broadcast New Chess Series, Seeking Contestants

The BBC is bringing chess to television screens with a new series that will feature players from all backgrounds competing in rapid chess games. The series, which is set to air in eight parts, is part of the BBC’s effort to appeal to a wider audience and showcase the growing popularity of chess. The BBC has previously televised chess tournaments in the 1970s and 1980s, but this new series is intended to be more inclusive and accessible.

Indian Chess Surges Forward with Young Prodigy, Gukesh

Indian chess has witnessed a remarkable rise with the emergence of young prodigies, led by the 17-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh. Gukesh’s exceptional performance in the Candidates tournament has earned him the right to challenge Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren for the World Championship. India’s chess ecosystem is thriving with talented young players and experienced mentors, creating an environment that fosters growth and innovation. Gukesh’s success has reignited excitement for Indian chess and set the stage for an exciting India-China showdown in the upcoming World Championship.

Indian Challenger D Gukesh Faces Ding Liren for World Chess Title

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has made history by becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the World Chess title. The 17-year-old defeated all odds to win the Candidates tournament in Toronto, earning the right to face defending champion Ding Liren of China. The success of Indian chess players at the highest level has been attributed to the legendary Viswanathan Anand, whose academy has produced top talents like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa. The rise of Indian and Chinese chess prodigies in the diaspora has also been noted by Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who predicts further success for young players in the future.

Indian Chess Prodigy Sets Sights on World Championship

Grandmaster Gukesh D has emerged victorious from the FIDE Candidates 2024, a stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of claiming the World Championship title. Inspired by legendary Indian player Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh is determined to push himself to the limits and secure India’s first-ever World Chess Championship victory.

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