Four-time female shogi champion Tomoka Nishiyama becomes a professional shogi player “Aiming for even better” – the first woman to become a shogi player from next spring

The Japan Shogi Federation announced on the 26th that it had received an application from four-time female shogi player Tomoyoshi Nishiyama (31) to become a shogi player. She is the first female shogi player in the shogi world.

At a press conference at the Shogi Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, Nishiyama, a four-time female champion, said, ``I made this decision because I wanted to fight against someone who was stronger, and I wanted to fight to get even higher.''

“Strong arm” Nishiyama women strengthens their strength despite bad luck at the encouragement session - Four wins in shogi

There is a separate system for female shogi players and shogi players. The Nishiyama women's four-time champion will be promoted to 4th dan on April 1st next year and will be transferred to the free class.

Four-time champion Nishiyama defended her title by defeating Kana Fukuma (34), a four-time female champion, in the fifth game of the 6th match against Hakurei on the 10th. This was the fifth term for Hakurei, and he was eligible to become a shogi player according to the regulations.

Shogi players are divided into five classes, from the top masters, A-class, to two C-class groups, and each group holds a league match called a ``ranking match'' every year. The Nishiyama Women's Four Championships will start in the free class, which falls outside of this framework, and will participate in shogi tournaments other than the rankings.