Odin Blikra Vea and Askild Bryn, two men from Norway, have broken 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.


How long does it take?

The length of time for the application process and then the evidence review for the attempt itself depends on the type of application selected.

The GWR reviews documentation in 12 weeks and tells applicants whether their attempt has been accepted or rejected — that is for standard record attempts. When there are many applications, the waiting time may be longer, at least 16 weeks.

It however remains unclear why the Norwegians, whose attempt was concluded on June 4, were responded to while the GWR has yet to reveal if they accepted or rejected that of Onakoya (April 20).

WHO
ODIN BLIKRA VEA, ASKILD BRYN

WHAT
TIME HOUR(S):MINUTE(S):SECOND(S)

WHERE
NORWAY (STAVANGER, NORWAY)

WHEN
04 JUNE 2024

The longest chess marathon is 61 hours, 03 minutes and 34 seconds and was achieved by Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea (both Norway) in Stavanger, Norway, on 4 June 2024

Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea earn a place in history after playing chess for 61 hours, 03 minutes, and 34 seconds.

Askild Bryn and CM Odin Blikra Vea have shattered the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Longest Chess Marathon.

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.

The former world champion (Magnus Carlsen) regularly visited them throughout the attempt, as he did when the record was secured. "I am really proud of them. I honestly had my doubts if they were gonna make it, but they were always very serious about it and they prepared very well," Carlsen said.

Bhella5:
We've had our own champion 🏆 and it's indelible in the book of GWR. Congrats to the Viking.

Afonjah:


Read well.
Nowhere and at no time did Guinness World Records EVER recognize Tunde Onakoya as a Chess record holder.

I hope lawsuits don't follow from the sponsorships, endorsements & awards he received.

Afonjah:


Read well.
Nowhere and at no time did Guinness World Records EVER recognize Tunde Onakoya as a Chess record holder.

I hope lawsuits don't follow from the sponsorships, endorsements & awards he received.

Racoon:
Yes the Norwegians brothers may be the record holders now, but Tunde Onakoya have once "earned a place in history” in the sand of times as far as the chess game is concerned. I am proud of him.

Throwback:
The OP has raised salient points.

Anyone can always exceed the past records in the future.

What is informative is that despite the well publicised achievement of Tunde Onakoya, the OP says it was never in the records history of GWR.

That deserves some answers from both Tunde Onakoya and GWR.

MrEverest:


How did he earn it if GWR never recognized it? Did you even read the post at all?

Johncuppa:

He earned it in the heart men.
Is there a law that forbid exploit without having it in GWR?

Bongadu:
Chess is for braindead fággots, even toddlers can play it .


The real deal is playing Go .


Most blacks lack the IQ to play it

Johncuppa:

Was there even anywhere Tunde mentioned GWR during his chess marathon game?
Or has he received any ward for breaking GWR in chess anywhere?

Like Pelumi Nubi, can't someone just do a big deal of good without having the record in the GWR?

Not as if GWR will even pay them any money o

Afonjah:


Read well.
Nowhere and at no time did Guinness World Records EVER recognize Tunde Onakoya as a Chess record holder.

I hope lawsuits don't follow from the sponsorships, endorsements & awards he received.

Afonjah:


Read well.
Nowhere and at no time did Guinness World Records EVER recognize Tunde Onakoya as a Chess record holder.

I hope lawsuits don't follow from the sponsorships, endorsements & awards he received.

Afonjah:


Read well.
Nowhere and at no time did Guinness World Records EVER recognize Tunde Onakoya as a Chess record holder.

I hope lawsuits don't follow from the sponsorships, endorsements & awards he received.