By Galo S Mirth
2020 was one of the most memorable years in modern shogi. It was the year of major title transitions, the formal expansion to eight major titles, and the breakthrough that turned Sota Fujii from a rising star into a central figure of the professional scene. It was also a year when the pandemic forced organizers, players, and fans to adapt quickly.
1) The biggest headline: Sota Fujii wins major titles at record speed
The clearest symbol of 2020 was Sota Fujii’s rise to the top tier. In the 91st Kisei, he defeated Akira Watanabe to take his first major title. Soon after, in the 61st Oi, he defeated Kazuki Kimura and added a second major title in the same year. Japanese coverage emphasized not only the results, but also how quickly he reached them in historical terms.
For many fans, this was the year when expectations changed. Fujii was no longer discussed only as a promising young professional. He was discussed as a genuine title-era player.
2) Other major title lines: veterans and established contenders held strong
Even with the Fujii headlines, 2020 also showed the depth of the existing title ecosystem:
- Ryuo (33rd): Akira Watanabe defended the title against Masayuki Toyoshima.
- Meijin (78th): Akira Watanabe won the series against Amahiko Sato.
These results reflected a mixed landscape. A new superstar was accelerating upward, but elite veterans still controlled key title stages.
3) Structural change: Eio was established as a major title
Another important 2020 development was institutional. Eio had started as a newer high-profile event, and by this period it was positioned as the eighth major title in the professional title system. That change matters historically because it changed how people describe title hierarchy in contemporary shogi and how annual title counts are interpreted.
4) Women’s shogi remained highly competitive
Women’s title events also delivered strong storylines. In the 31st Women’s Oi, Kana Satomi won the title match against Tomoka Nishiyama. The women’s circuit in this period remained a key arena for high-level rivalry and for broader media attention on shogi personalities.
5) COVID-19 and adaptation across the shogi world
Like other sports and mind-sports in Japan, professional shogi in 2020 had to navigate COVID-19 constraints. Scheduling, venue operations, and event logistics were all affected. Even when top title matches continued, the environment around them changed, including audience and production conditions. The ability of organizers and players to keep flagship events running became part of the year’s story.
Why 2020 still feels like a turning point
If one year had to explain the current era to a newer fan, 2020 would be a strong candidate. It combined three long-term themes in one season: generational turnover, institutional change in the title system, and ecosystem-level adaptation under crisis conditions. In that sense, it was not only dramatic. It was foundational.
Sources (Japanese)
- Wikipedia日本語版「第91期棋聖戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/第91期棋聖戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「第61期王位戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/第61期王位戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「第33期竜王戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/第33期竜王戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「第78期名人戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/第78期名人戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「第31期女流王位戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/第31期女流王位戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「叡王戦」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/叡王戦
- Wikipedia日本語版「藤井聡太」: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/藤井聡太