Chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has stirred buzz online after throwing down an unusual challenge to anyone vying for the affection of actress Genevieve Nnaji.
In a lighthearted post shared on Monday on X, he said, “Hmmm. I see the competition is quite tough. I’ll only back down if another suitor beats me at chess.”
Though short and humorous, the tweet quickly gained traction, with many hailing it as the “coolest love challenge of the year.”
It comes amid excitement about Genevieve’s return to the public eye and continued curiosity about her famously private personal life.
The playful post marks a rare shift from Onakoya’s usual public tone, which is typically rooted in advocacy and youth empowerment.
The 30-year-old is best known for founding Chess in Slums Africa, a nonprofit organisation that teaches chess to children in underserved communities as a path to education and personal development.
Earlier this year, he gained international recognition after setting a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon ever played, clocking 60 hours non-stop at Times Square in New York City.
The feat earned global applause and was aimed at raising funds for educational programs in Africa.
Fans online quickly responded with a mix of admiration and amusement.
One X user quipped, “Tunde just moved his queen—your move, rivals.”
Another joked, “This is the most romantic checkmate I’ve ever seen.”
Genevieve Nnaji, one of Nollywood’s most revered actresses has not yet reacted publicly to Onakoya’s chess-based proposition.
