The 33rd Southeast Asian Games have delivered a landmark moment for competitive gaming, as Magic Chess: Go Go makes its historic SEA Games debut.
Magic Chess: Go Go, developed by MOONTON Games, has officially written itself into SEA Games history as the first-ever mobile Auto Chess title featured at the region’s premier multi-sport event. The demonstration match, held on December 12, 2025 in Bangkok, showcased the genre’s strategic depth and accessibility, marking a major milestone for mobile-first esports.
Representing Malaysia, Muhamad Arif Bin Baharun and Fazley Chong emerged victorious after outmaneuvering top competitors from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines in a tense Battle of Wits finale. The Philippines secured second place, while Indonesia rounded out the podium in third.
“I was excited to be part of Magic Chess: Go Go at the SEA Games, as it is the dream of every MCGG player,” said Muhamad Arif Bin Baharun. “This shows that everyone has a chance, and I hope our participation motivates everyone who watched us.”
Fazley Chong echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the bigger picture beyond the win. “This is not just a tournament; this is where the journey starts. We hope this victory helps grow the community further and leads to more Magic Chess: Go Go tournaments in Malaysia.”
A Breakthrough Moment for Strategy Esports
The inclusion of Magic Chess: Go Go alongside traditional sports and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang signals a new chapter for esports at the SEA Games. As the first mobile Auto Chess game to appear at the event, MCGG demonstrated how strategy-driven competition can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with physical disciplines on a prestigious regional stage.
With low hardware requirements and an intuitive learning curve, Magic Chess: Go Go reinforced the SEA Games’ core values of inclusivity and fair competition, allowing players from diverse backgrounds to compete on equal footing.
Its SEA Games showcase also reflects the game’s rapid rise since its global launch earlier in 2025. Within two weeks, Magic Chess: Go Go surpassed 30 million downloads and went on to win the 2025 Google Play Best Game Award across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Today, its competitive ecosystem spans grassroots events to international tournaments, with the upcoming GO1 World Championship Grand Finals set for January 25, 2026 at the M7 Carnival in Jakarta.
