Fujii Sota and Hattori begin Ryuo title game 2 at Mishima Taisha shrine in Shizuoka
In short
Game 2 of the 39th Ryuo title match between Fujii Sota, who is aiming for a sixth straight title, and seventh-dan Hattori Shinichiro began on 22 October at Mishima Taisha in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. Fujii won game 1. It is the first shogi title match held in Mishima.
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Game 2 of the 39th Ryuo title match began on 22 October at Mishima Taisha in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Fujii Sota (24), the Ryuo holder, is being challenged by Hattori Shinichiro, seventh-dan (27). The game started at the scheduled 9:00 at the signal of witness Aono Teruichi, ninth-dan. [ 3 ]
Fujii won game 1. He is aiming for a sixth straight Ryuo title. Nippon TV News said he has held the title five times in a row since 2021 and gained the qualification of eternal Ryuo at the youngest age on record. Hattori, who is seeking his first title, is in his first Ryuo challenge and aims for his first win in it, the broadcaster said. Nippon TV News called Fujii a six-crown holder. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Hattori played first. Yomiuri said he chose the Kakugawari (bishop exchange) opening, while Fujii replied with Migigyoku (right king), a balanced formation that moves the king to the right. Commentator Yashiro Wataru, eighth-dan, was quoted as saying he sensed Hattori's strong will to win in a line Fujii also favours and gain momentum in the series. He added that the question is how Hattori finds a way to attack while Fujii keeps making calm moves. [ 3 ]
The game is played over two days. Nippon TV News expects a result on the night of 23 October, while TBS NEWS DIG's headline expects it on the afternoon of the 23rd. [ 5 , 6 ]
Before the game, Mishima Taisha began handing out a special goshuin on 21 October, and TBS NEWS DIG reported a queue. The design shows a shogi board on the main hall, which is covered for the shrine's major repair, and reads 39th Ryuo title match, game 2. Unlike regular goshuin it is horizontal and is stored across two pages of a large goshuin book. One person who came for it said holding the Ryuo match at the historic shrine is an honour for city residents. TBS reported that Mishima is hosting a shogi title match for the first time. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The documents present the match as the top title in shogi, with Fujii seeking a sixth consecutive Ryuo title and Hattori seeking his first title. Local coverage also stresses that Mishima is hosting a title match for the first time.
Key facts
- Game 2 of the best-of-seven 39th Ryuo title match began at 9:00 on 22 October at Mishima Taisha in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Fujii Sota (24) is challenged by Hattori Shinichiro, seventh-dan (27); Fujii won game 1. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- Hattori played first and chose the Kakugawari (bishop exchange) opening; Fujii answered with Migigyoku (right king), Yomiuri reported. [ 3 ]
- Mishima is hosting a shogi title match for the first time. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Mishima Taisha began handing out a special commemorative goshuin (shrine stamp) on 21 October, designed with a shogi board on the covered main hall. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When game 2 will finish on 23 October. TBS NEWS DIG's headline expects a result on the afternoon of the 23rd, while Nippon TV News expects the night of the 23rd.
- It is the first time a shogi title match is held in Mishima. Reported by a single source so far