Tunde Onakoya, 29, started his marathon on Wednesday in New York's famous Times Square. In the early hours of Saturday, Onakoya broke the record, reaching 58 hours and leaving the table. The previous record was held by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who stood for 56 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds in 2018.
Speaking to AFP after breaking the record, Onakoya said: "I don't know how to assess my feelings right now, I can't think of the right words. But I know we have done something really remarkable," Onakoya told AFP.
"I was ready to give up last night around 3 p.m. But there were Nigerians from all over the world. They were with me until the morning," Onakoya said, adding, "We were singing together, they were dancing. I couldn't give up for them," Onakoya continued.
With his record, the chess champion hopes to raise $1 million for the education of children in Africa.
Guinness has not yet verified the record, but the process can take weeks.
Sitting opposite Onakoya during the marathon was US chess champion Shawn Martinez.