By Galo S Mirth
2021 was the year shogi’s center of gravity shifted. Sota Fujii did not just win. He changed the shape of the title map, taking the Ryuo crown and becoming the youngest ever four-crown holder. At the same time, women’s shogi entered a new era with the launch of the Hakurei title system and its rank league.
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.
By Galo S Mirth
In 2009, the modern shogi title scene featured dramatic seven game finishes in the Meijin and Oi, and a dominant sweep in the Ryuo. Below is a compact English recap of the year, with Japanese sources for readers who want to dig deeper.
By Galo S Mirth
The 2003 shogi season (April 2003 to March 2004, following Japanese convention) felt like a swing year. Yoshiharu Habu reclaimed the Meijin, but the year ended with a completely different headline: Toshiyuki Moriuchi swept Habu to take the Ryuo and later wrested the Osho as well. Meanwhile, Koji Tanigawa continued to prove he could still win big matches at the very top, and a teenage challenger, Akira Watanabe, pushed Habu in the Oza.
Below is a compact tour of the year, using Japanese records and summaries. (more…)