Chess Friends Play 383 Games in 61 Hours, Break Record

Two friends who love chess just proved that dedication matters more than being the best player in the room.

Askild Bryn and Odin Blikra Vea played 383 blitz chess games over 61 hours to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. A new documentary released on YouTube takes viewers inside their remarkable journey, from months of preparation to the surreal moments when exhaustion nearly broke them.

The Norwegian duo planned their attempt for almost a year. They underwent medical exams, consulted with neuropsychologists, tested different meal plans, and trained their bodies for the extreme challenge ahead.

Their marathon took place during Norway Chess 2024 in Stavanger, with every single game streamed live. More than 1.7 million people tuned in to watch them play, captivated by two ordinary chess enthusiasts chasing an extraordinary goal.

Why This Inspires

What makes their story special isn't chess skill. Neither player ranks among the elite, yet they accomplished something most grandmasters would never attempt.

"This is a record that two 1500-rated players could theoretically achieve," Bryn explained. "It's not about chess strength. It's about setting a goal and pursuing it."

The documentary reveals the hardest part came around the 24-hour mark. Sleep deprivation hit them both hard, and they sat complaining about how much they hated chess. Blikra Vea even experienced hallucinations.

Their neuropsychologist had warned this moment would come. The brain fights back after 24 hours awake, trying to convince the body to stop. Knowing this ahead of time helped them push through when that dark hour arrived.

They could only take five-minute breaks per hour, saving them up for 30-minute power naps every six hours. These brief rests became crucial for survival.

The low point passed as suddenly as it arrived. The joy of playing returned, carrying them to the finish line at 61 hours, three minutes, and 34 seconds.

Even people who barely cared about chess found themselves invested. One fan stayed up late checking scores despite never watching her grandmaster brother play. The human challenge transcended the game itself.

World champion Magnus Carlsen appears in the documentary, having supported his friends throughout their preparation. His presence highlights how the chess community rallied behind two players chasing a dream bigger than rating points.

Though another pair has since broken their record with a 64-hour marathon, Bryn and Blikra Vea aren't done. They want their title back and plan to reclaim it.

For now, they're celebrating what they showed the world: that loving what you do can carry you through 61 hours of anything.