We turned the world into a birthday celebration. Good night ❤️

From Brooklyn to the top of the nation. These photos are a reminder of a golden era when we were the #1 high school chess team in the country. A diverse group of kids of African American, Puerto Rican, European decent united by our love for the game and the drive to be the best.

Yesterday, I had the rare and humbling honor of delivering a Keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2025 TB games. It was my first official invite to a United Nations conference as a special guest so It all felt surreal. When I learned I’d be speaking

The man kneeling with one knee is the greatest human I know. Thank you for everything Russ The Gift of Chess . Our delusions are gradually becoming reality.

I actually almost missed my speech due to the crazy New York City traffic and came in just in the nick of time😅 Had to re-maintain Steeze and deliver. It went well. Glory to God

Incredible game 🔥 Shawn Martinez

There is a new world record for 61 hours set by two Norwegian players. On the 17th of April, we will attempt to break that record and set a new one for 70 hours My dream is to inspire the world, and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.

Starting April 17th, Tunde Onakoya 🇳🇬 & Shawn Martinez 🇵🇷 will Attempt 70 Hours of Non-Stop Chess in the Heart of Times Square, NYC. They are Aiming to Break their Previous Record of 60 Hours & Surpass the Current Guinness World Records Record Set by Two Norwegians at 61 hours, 3 mins, & 34 secs.

Rooting for our star boys Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez

Guinness world record attempt for longest chess marathon coming up this week. Starting April 17 with Tunde Onakoya 🔥🔥🔥 chessdom.com/guinness-world…

Best of luck to Tunde Onakoya whose official attempt at longest chess marathon began today in Times Square, NYC ♟️ Record to beat: 61 hours, 03 minutes and 34 seconds ⏱️

RECORD BROKEN! One Board A Million Dreams! 62 Hours ONGOING ❤️ 🇳🇬 with my brother Shawn Martinez 🇵🇷 CHESS IN SLUMS AFRICA #70HoursofChessWithTunde #ChessForEducation #GWR2025

It’s Shawn in the adire for me. Congratulations Tunde! 🇳🇬

Tunde Onakoya Shawn Martinez read more: chess.com/news/view/tund…

Shawn Shawn Martinez is an incredible guy. He and his wife just had twins a couple of weeks ago but still showed up with everything to do this with me. Now we need to bring him to Lagos and give him a proper Naija treat.

Longest chess marathon ♟️⏱️ 64 hours. Congratulations to Tunde Onakoya & Shawn Martinez who attempted the record in Times Square, NYC for The Gift of Chess CHESS IN SLUMS AFRICA "Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education, my dream is to

64 hours! Yet another example of Nigeria’s resilient spirit. Big congratulations to Tunde Onakoya who partnered with American chess master Shawn Martinez to set a new world record for the longest chess marathon, right at the heart of Times Square! Surrounded by kids from Chess in

Happy Birthday @CoacShawnMar

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday Shawn Martinez Today, we celebrate not only a new year, but the unwavering support you continue to give to the children we serve. Thank you for standing with us and for showing up in the most meaningful ways. #ChessInSlumsAfrica #TundeOnakoya