Bringing together top athletes, officials, and federations from four mind sports – namely Chess, Contract Bridge, Weiqi (Go), and Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) – the festival marks a landmark moment in advancing the profile of mind sports across Asia. The programme will feature regional friendly competitions, a Mind Sports Conference, and the AMSA Executive Board Meeting.
Asian Chess Federation General Secretary Hisham Al Taher has been invited to the event.
With a total prize pool of over SGD40,000, the Asian Mind Sports Festival seeks to showcase the depth of strategic thinking, foster cross-cultural exchange, and expand competitive opportunities for mind sport athletes throughout the region.
“Mind sports have long held the power to unite cultures, sharpen intellect, and inspire excellence. Yet they have not been featured regularly in major multi-sport events such as the Asian Games. The event represents the beginning of a new chapter, where federations collaborate more closely, formats evolve, and athletes receive the recognition and support they truly deserve. It will also provide a benchmark for a potential new multi-mind sports games in the future, said Gordon Tang, President of the AMSA.
More than a celebration, the event is designed to help build a structured and sustainable ecosystem – one that nurtures grassroots participation, industry engagements, while also elevating elite competition. In partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia, AMSA aims to establish a strong regional platform for long-term athlete and industry development and professionalisation.
Singapore has become an increasingly vibrant hub for mind sports. In 2024, the nation hosted the FIDE World Chess Championship, marking the first time in nearly 40 years that the event was staged in Southeast Asia and further solidifying Singapore’s place on the global chess map. Locally, the grassroots scene continues to thrive, with after-work clubs and community tournaments drawing growing participation.
Kevin Goh, CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, said: “Hosting the FIDE World Chess Championship last year greatly increased interest and participation in chess at all levels. We’ve seen how major events can energise communities and inspire new players. I believe the Asian Mind Sports Conference & Festival will spark that same enthusiasm – not only for chess, but for all mind sports.”
Looking ahead, the event will also serve as a testing ground for new formats and innovations, setting the stage for the continued growth and professionalisation of mind sports across Asia.\
For further details about the event, please visit www.asianmindsports.org.