Ryuo shogi titleholder Masayuki Toyoshima and ninth-dan Yoshiharu Habu will face off in a keenly awaited match with Habu aiming for an unprecedented 100th title while Toyoshima aspires to win his first match defending a title.
The 33rd best-of-seven Ryuo tournament is scheduled for Friday. The match is the fourth time Habu will try for his 100th shogi title in a tournament, Toyoshima having prevented him at the Kisei tournament in 2018. The win-lose record between the two is almost even. They spoke of their aspirations in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.
--Masayuki Toyoshima
The Yomiuri Shimbun: This year, as Ryuo titleholder, you are awaiting your challenger.
Toyoshima: I was surprised that Mr. Sota Fujii, who now holds two titles, lost in his first match in the Ryuo tournament, but the moves of his competitor, ninth-dan Mr. Tadahisa Maruyama, were perfect. And I thought it quite natural that Mr. Habu won the right to challenge me given his past achievements.
Q: What's your impression of Mr. Habu?
A: I think that Mr. Habu's wide perspective based on his experience is a powerful weapon. I don't have the impression that his competence is on the decline at all.
Q: Your opponent's 100th title is on the line in this match. You once prevented him from achieving it in the Kisei title match.
A: Getting your 100th title is so great I can't even imagine what it's like. But I'm sure it will be a match that attracts a lot of attention. I'd like to play enthusiastically, as is suitable for such a great occasion.
Q: I'd like to ask you about your condition. You lost your Meijin title in August, and claimed the Eio title in September ahead of this Ryuo tournament.
A: I didn't win at all in summer, and my performance was poor. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me, but things started to improve in autumn.
Q: You've won a total of five titles, and never defended one. How do you feel about that?
A: I'm not aware that I'm on the defensive. But I would like to achieve a result by defending the Ryuo title.
Q: Where would you like to go in the best-of-seven tournament?
A: Yoshikawaya hotel in Fukushima, as I've never visited.
Born in 1990. Hails from Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture. 30 years old. Promoted to fourth dan in 2007, thereby becoming a professional. He has won a total of five titles: Ryuo, Meijin, Eio, Oi and Kisei. His nickname is Toyopi. His hobby is watching the NBA, the American professional basketball league. He has 15 wins and 10 losses this fiscal year as of Oct. 6.
--Yoshiharu Habu
The Yomiuri Shimbun: This will be your first challenge for a title in two years.
Yoshiharu Habu: I'm delighted to be competing on such a big occasion for the first time in a long time. I haven't played in a title match for ages, so I'm feeling fresh.
Q: It's going to be your fourth attempt to win the 100th title.
A: It's a great honor to aim for such a record. The match represents a huge opportunity. But I'm not overly agitated about it, and I'm going to play the game with a natural attitude.
Q: Two years ago, you were unable to defend your title in the Ryuo tournament, and narrowly failed to win your 100th title.
A: It was very disappointing at the time, but it's all about ability. Shogi is a world where past achievements don't count.
Q: You'll be facing this best-of-seven tournament at the age of 50.
A: Unlike when I was young, there aren't many opportunities. I would like to play each move carefully.
Q: You have a great predecessor, Yasuharu Oyama, the 15th Meijin, who became a title challenger even after he turned 60. He was active for a long time. How do you compare yourself to him?
A: Ha ha. I haven't attained the level of Mr. Oyama. I think that's the appeal of shogi as it allows you to compete on an equal footing with young people even as you get older.
Q: What's your impression of Mr. Toyoshima?
A: He thoroughly studies every detail of the early stages of a game, and he's very consistent in the middle and at the end of a game.
Q: Where would you like to go in the best-of-seven tournament?
A: I haven't been able to go on a trip, and haven't got on a plane this year. If I could go to Ibusuki, I would look forward to it.
Born in 1970. Hails from Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. 50 years old. He was promoted to fourth dan when he was 15 years old, thereby becoming a professional during his junior high school days. He claimed his first Ryuo title when he was 19 in 1989. In 1996, he became the first to ever hold all seven titles. He has won a total of 99 titles, and qualified as the eisei lifetime holder of seven titles, something that had never been achieved before. He received a People's Honor Award in February 2018. He has 10 wins and eight losses this fiscal year as of Oct. 6.
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