Sota Fujii, a seventh-dan shogi professional, rewrote the record for youngest-ever champion in one of the board game's eight major titles when he won the Kisei competition at 17 years 11 months. This is a great achievement that heralds the arrival of a new era in shogi.
Fujii vanquished title defender Akira Watanabe, who holds two other titles and is regarded among the best in the world, by a score of three wins to one.
The teen phenom has been drawing the spotlight by surpassing numerous milestones, such as becoming, at 14 years 2 months, the youngest-ever player to turn pro, and then putting together a record-setting winning streak of 29 victories from his debut.
With the spread of the novel coronavirus, it once appeared to be difficult for Fujii to challenge for a major title and get a shot at a new record. Having made the final four of the knockout stage that determines the challenger for the Kisei title in a best-of-5 showdown, the teenager was forced to wait for nearly two months because no matches were held.
Once matches resumed, Fujii beat his opponents amid a tight schedule before finally grabbing his first title. The relaxed way that he shows his talent can encourage not just young people of his generation, but many others. He deserves a round of applause.
Fujii is also currently making a challenge for another major title, the Oi, which is determined in a best-of-7 series. The defending champion is Kazuki Kimura, who made headlines himself when he became the oldest-ever player to win a first major title. Fujii has also advanced to the knockout stage for the Ryuo title. This puts the game at a riveting stage with attention on whether the teen can realign the power balance in one fell swoop among shogi's top players.
Fujii has become the symbol for modern shogi as it coexists with digital technology.
It is said that Fujii developed his highly accurate reading of matches through tsume-shogi, the traditional practice method of presenting situations for checkmating the opponent's king. The teenager also uses shogi software to study strategies, making brilliant moves that even seasoned players cannot anticipate. The politeness of his post-match comments and his virtuous looks make him likable.
At the time of Fujii's pro debut, the ability of shogi software had already exceeded humans. While this raised concerns about the future of shogi as an intellectual game, it actually has helped raise its popularity. This is probably because it spotlights how exciting it is for players with distinctive characteristics to put their intellect to the test.
Attesting to this is the fact that the number of people who enjoy just watching shogi is increasing. During official matches, the meals the players order and what kimono they are wearing become hot topics on livestreaming and social networking services.
Yoshiharu Habu -- a ninth-dan player who led the shogi world during the Heisei era (1989-2019) and earned the "eisei nanakan" (eternal holder of the then-seven titles) -- is still among the top players. Tomoka Nishiyama, who holds three women's titles, is working hard to become the first female to qualify for the highest circuit. With Fujii's victory, the eight major titles are now in the hands of five different players.
With no end to the highlights, the Japan Shogi Association has a golden opportunity for increasing the number of new players.
What is troubling is that the spread of the coronavirus has not been contained. Competitions for amateurs and events in which pro matches are analyzed and discussed continue to be canceled. While assuring the safety of players and others at matches, it is urged that new avenues be explored such as online interaction with fans.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on July 17, 2020.
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