There’s something quietly magnetic about a game played in silence—where every move carries centuries of tradition, and every player becomes part of a much larger story. This season, the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) invites visitors into that world, where heritage, design, and human intellect converge in a refreshed showcase that feels as contemporary as it is timeless.

At the heart of it all is Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games, now in its final months but newly reimagined with a sharper focus on Singapore’s rising mind sports scene—and the global cultural threads that connect it.

Step into the exhibition and you’ll encounter an unassuming yet powerful object: a championship table from the 1988 Ing Cup, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of weiqi (also known as Go).

More than furniture, this table witnessed decisive moments between some of the game’s greatest minds. Donated by the Singapore Weiqi Association, it now becomes part of Singapore’s national collection, a symbol of how deeply rooted and globally connected the local weiqi community has become. Its presence feels especially meaningful today, as Singapore celebrates a milestone of its own: the rise of its first professional weiqi player trained in Japan.

At just 15, Chen Yihang represents a new era of mind sports in Singapore. Recently awarded a professional 1-dan rank by the prestigious Nihon Ki-in, his journey reflects both discipline and possibility. From early training with Singapore’s national youth team to competing on international stages, his story is one of quiet determination, one that began, fittingly, within ACM’s walls during a regional Go congress years ago.

Now, visitors can hear directly from him and other local players through a series of intimate video interviews woven into the exhibition, bringing personal voices into a space often defined by silent concentration.

But the experience doesn’t stop at tradition. In a vibrant twist, ACM introduces Shogi in Manga: March Comes in Like a Lion, a showcase that bridges classic gameplay with modern storytelling. Centered around the beloved series March Comes in Like a Lion by Chica Umino, the installation transforms the Shaw Foyer into an immersive world of Japanese chess, or shogi.

Through life-sized character panels, a manga reading corner, and animated scenes, the showcase captures the emotional depth behind competitive play, exploring themes of resilience, loneliness, and growth through the eyes of a teenage shogi prodigy. Even if you’ve never played a single match, the storytelling draws you in.

The showcase also coincides with a significant milestone: 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. In that spirit, ACM partners with the Japan Shogi Association to spotlight the living, evolving nature of shogi—not just as a game, but as a cultural bridge.

Adding to the excitement, a championship board from the Eiou title match, held in Singapore this April, will go on display shortly after the final move is played. It’s a rare chance to witness a contemporary artifact almost immediately after it becomes part of history.

What makes this exhibition resonate is how it reframes mind sports—not as niche pursuits, but as living cultural practices. Here, strategy intersects with design, competition with storytelling, and heritage with innovation.

From centuries-old traditions to manga-inspired narratives, ACM’s refreshed Let’s Play! experience invites visitors to see games differently: as art forms, as personal journeys, and as connections across cultures. And with its closing date set for 7 June 2026, this is one move you won’t want to miss.

Images courtesy of the Asian Civilisations Museum

Let’s Play! The Art and Design of Asian Games runs till 7th June 2026 at the Asian Civilisations Museum. More information available here