Ōshō (shogi) explained

Ōshō
Native Name:	王将戦
Type:	Title
Official Name:	ALSOK王将戦
Title Name:	Ōshō
Last Winner:	Sōta Fujii
No Times:	72
Last Held:	2022
Longest Streak:	Yasuharu Ōyama (9)
Url:	https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oushou/
Other Site:	https://www.alsok.co.jp/info/alsokhai-oushousen/

is one of the eight titles in Japanese professional shogi. The tournament is co-sponsored by Sports Nippon and the Mainichi Shimbun with additional support received from and the .^[1]

The word also refers to the piece called the "King" in shogi.

History

The tournament was first held in 1950 as a non-title tournament. The following year in 1951, it was elevated to major title status as the third major title along with the Meijin and Tenth Dan (later Ryūō) title tournaments.

Format

The tournament is open to all and takes place in four stages. The first and second preliminary rounds consist of multiple single-elimination tournaments in which the first round winners advance to compete against each other in the second round. The three winners of the second round tournaments then advance to a round-robin league called the "" along with four seeded players. The winner of the challenger league then advances to a best-of-seven championship match against the reigning Ōshō title holder. If two players or more finish tied for first in the challenger league, a single-game playoff between the two highest seeded players is held to determine the challenger. The time controls are three hours per player for the two preliminary rounds, four hours per player for the challenger league, and eight hours per player for the championship match. The championship match is held from January to March.^[2]

Winners

The following is a list of the winners and runners-up for past Ōshō title matches.^[3]

No. Year Winner Score Opponent 1 1951 Kōzō Masuda 4-1 Yoshio Kimura 2 1952 Yasuharu Oyama 4-3 Yuzo Maruta 3 1953 Yasuharu Oyama (2) 4-2 Kozo Masuda 4 1954 Yasuharu Oyama (3) 4-1 Shigeyuki Matsuda 5 1955 Kozo Masuda (2) 3-0 Yasuharu Oyama 6 1956 Kozo Masuda (3) 4-2 Yasuharu Oyama 7 1957 Yasuharu Oyama (4) 4-3 Kozo Masuda 8 1958 Yasuharu Oyama (5) 3-0 9 1959 Yasuharu Oyama (6) 4-2 Tatsuya Futakami 10 1960 Yasuharu Oyama (7) 4-2 Tatsuya Futakami 11 1961 Yasuharu Oyama (8) 3-0 Hifumi Kato 12 1962 Tatsuya Futakami 4-2 Yasuharu Oyama 13 1963 Yasuharu Oyama (9) 3-0 Tatsuya Futakami 14 1964 4-1 Hiroji Kato 15 1965 Yasuharu Oyama (11) 4-3 Michiyoshi Yamada 16 1966 Yasuharu Oyama (12) 4-1 Hifumi Kato 17 1967 Yasuharu Oyama (13) 4-2 Hifumi Kato 18 1968 Yasuharu Oyama (14) 4-0 Kunio Naitō 19 1969 Yasuharu Oyama (15) 4-1 Tatsuya Futakami 20 1970 Yasuharu Oyama (16) 4-3 Makoto Nakahara 21 1971 Yasuharu Oyama (17) 4-3 Michio Ariyoshi 22 1972 Makoto Nakahara 4-0 Yasuharu Oyama 23 1973 Makoto Nakahara (2) 4-2 Kunio Yonenaga 24 1974 Makoto Nakahara (3) 4-3 Kunio Yonenaga 25 1975 Makoto Nakahara (4) 4-1 Michio Ariyoshi 26 1976 Makoto Nakahara (5) 4-2 Yasuharu Oyama 27 1977 Makoto Nakahara (6) 4-2 Michio Ariyoshi 28 1978 Hifumi Kato 4-1 Makoto Nakahara 29 1979 Yasuharu Oyama (18) 4-2 Hifumi Kato 30 1980 Yasuharu Oyama (19) 4-1 Kunio Yonenaga 31 1981 Yasuharu Oyama (20) 4-3 Makoto Nakahara 32 1982 Kunio Yonenaga 4-1 Yasuharu Oyama 33 1983 Kunio Yonenaga (2) 4-1 Keiji Mori 34 1984 Makoto Nakahara (7) 4-1 Kunio Yonenaga 35 1985 Osamu Nakamura 4-2 Makoto Nakahara 36 1986 Osamu Nakamura (2) 4-2 Makoto Nakahara 37 1987 Yoshikazu Minami 4-3 Osamu Nakamura

No. Year Winner Score Opponent 38 1988 4-0 Akira Shima 39 1989 Kunio Yonenaga (3) 4-3 Yoshikazu Minami 40 1990 Yoshikazu Minami (3) 4-2 Kunio Yonenaga 41 1991 Koji Tanigawa 4-1 Yoshikazu Minami 42 1992 Koji Tanigawa (2) 4-0 Satoshi Murayama 43 1993 Koji Tanigawa (3) 4-2 Makoto Nakahara 44 1994 Koji Tanigawa (4) 4-3 Yoshiharu Habu 45 1995 Yoshiharu Habu 4-0 Koji Tanigawa 46 1996 Yoshiharu Habu (2) 4-0 Koji Tanigawa 47 1997 Yoshiharu Habu (3) 4-1 Yasumitsu Sato 48 1998 Yoshiharu Habu (4) 4-1 Taku Morishita 49 1999 Yoshiharu Habu (5) 4-0 Yasumitsu Sato 50 2000 Yoshiharu Habu (6) 4-1 Koji Tanigawa 51 2001 Yasumitsu Sato 4-2 Yoshiharu Habu 52 2002 Yoshiharu Habu (7) 4-0 Yasumitsu Sato 53 2003 Toshiyuki Moriuchi 4-2 Yoshiharu Habu 54 2004 Yoshiharu Habu (8) 4-0 Toshiyuki Moriuchi 55 2005 Yoshiharu Habu (9) 4-3 Yasumitsu Sato 56 2006 Yoshiharu Habu (10) 4-3 Yasumitsu Sato 57 2007 Yoshiharu Habu (11) 4-1 Toshiaki Kubo 58 2008 Yoshiharu Habu (12) 4-3 Koichi Fukaura 59^[4] 2009 Toshiaki Kubo 4-2 Yoshiharu Habu 60^[5] 2010 Toshiaki Kubo (2) 4-2 61^[6] 2011 Yasumitsu Sato (2) 4-1 Toshiaki Kubo 62^[7] 2012 Akira Watanabe 4-1 Yasumitsu Sato 63^[8] 2013 Akira Watanabe (2) 4-3 Yoshiharu Habu 64^[9] 2014 Masataka Gōda 4-3 Akira Watanabe 65^[10] 2015 Masataka Gōda (2) 4-2 Yoshiharu Habu 66^[11] 2016 Toshiaki Kubo (3) 4-2 Masataka Gōda 67^[12] 2017 Toshiaki Kubo (4) 4-2 Masayuki Toyoshima 68^[13] 2018 Akira Watanabe (3) 4-0 Toshiaki Kubo 69^[14] 2019 Akira Watanabe (4) 4-3 Akihito Hirose 70^[15] 2020 Akira Watanabe (5) 4-2 Takuya Nagase 71^[16] 2021 Sōta Fujii 4-0 Akira Watanabe 72^[17] 2022 Sōta Fujii (2) 4-2 Yoshiharu Habu 73^[18] 2023 Sōta Fujii (3) 4-0 Tatsuya Sugai

Records

• Most titles overall: Yasuharu Oyama, 20
• Most consecutive titles: Yasuharu Oyama, 9 in a row (1963-1971)

Lifetime Ōshō

is the title given to a player who has won the championship ten times. An active player may qualify for the title, but it is only officially awarded upon retirement or death. Yasuharu Oyama and Yoshiharu Habu are the only players who have qualified for this title: Oyama qualified in 1973 and Habu qualified for the title in 2007.^[19]

Parallel in amateur shogi

There is a separate tournament held each year for amateurs called the which is sponsored by the Japan Shogi Association with support from the Igo & Shogi Channel. The winner is awarded the title .^[20]

External links

• Mainichi Shimbun: Ōshō tournament
• Sports Nippon: Shogi
• Shogi Tournament Database: Ōshō tournament

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kisen Jōhō Ōshōsen. ja:棋戦情報 王将戦. Japanese. Tournament Information: The Osho Tournament. Japan Shogi Association. March 13, 2023.
2. Web site: Ōshōsen Gaiyō. ja:王将戦概要. Japanese. Osho Tournament Summary. Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2015.
3. Web site: Ōshōsen Kako no Kekka. ja:王将戦過去の結果. Osho Match past results. Japanese. Japan Shogi Association. March 31, 2015.
4. News: . Kubo Shin Ōshō Tanjō! Chōkyūsen o Gyakuten Shi, Kiō to Nikan. ja:久保新王将誕生! 超急戦を逆転し棋王と2冠. Kubo new Osho is crowned! Comes from behind to win very sharp game to hold two major titles at same time.. Japanese. March 18, 2010. Sports Nippon. 羽生善治王将(39)に久保利明棋王(34)が挑戦する第59期王将戦7番勝負の第6局...久保が超急戦を逆転勝利した。初の王将位を奪取して...[Toshiaki Kubo Kioh (age 34), challenger to Yoshiharu Habu Osho (age 39), comes from behind to win a very sharp Game 6 of the 7-game 59th Osho title to win Osho title for the first time.]. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100325065510/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/special//osho2010/KFullNormal20100318119.html. March 25, 2010. December 19, 2017.
5. News: . Kubo Ōshō ga Hatsu Bōei! Azayaka na Sabaki de Shōri. ja:久保王将が初防衛! 鮮やかなさばきで勝利. Kubo Osho defends title for the first time. Wins with brilliant technique. Japanese. March 16, 2011. Sports Nippon. 久保利明王将 (35) が勝ち, 通算成績4勝2敗で初防衛を果たした。[Toshiaki Kubo Osho (age 35) wins and defends title for the first time by a score of 4-2]. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140813124505/http://www.sponichi.co.jp/society/news/2011/03/16/kiji/K20110316000434980.html. August 13, 2014. December 19, 2017.
6. News: . Satō Kudan ga Taitoru Dasshu, Shōgi Ōshōsen. ja:佐藤九段がタイトル奪取 将棋王将戦｣. Shogi Osho Match: Sato 9-dan captures title. Japanese. March 9, 2012. Asahi Shimbun. 挑戦者の佐藤康光九段(42)が久保利明王将(36)に109手で勝って, 通算成績を4勝1敗とし, タイトルを奪取した。[Challenger Yasumitsu Sato 9-dan (age 42) defeats Toshiaki Kubo Osho (age 36) in 109 moves to win match 4-1 and capture the title.]. March 31, 2015.
7. News: . Dai Gokyoku, Watanabe Ryūō ga Ōshō Hatsudasshu, Nikan ni. ja:第5局, 渡辺竜王が王将初奪取, 2冠に. Japanese. Watanabe Ryu-oh wins Game 5 to capture Osho title for the first time and become a 2-crown. Sankei Shimbun. March 7, 2013. 124手で後手の渡辺竜王が勝ち, 対戦成績4勝1敗で初めて王将を奪取。[Challenger Watanabe [[Ryu-oh]] wins in 124 moves as gote to win match 4–1 and capture the Osho title for the first time.]. March 31, 2015.
8. News: Fukamatsu. Shinji. Watanabe Ōshō ga Hatsubōei Shogi Ōshōsen, Habu Sankan Shirizokeru.. ja:渡辺王将が初防衛 将棋王将戦, 羽生三冠退ける. Shogi Osho Match: Watanabe Osho defends title for first time, defeats Habu 3-crown. Japanese. March 27, 2014. Asahi Shimbun. 渡辺明王将(29)が挑戦者の羽生善治三冠(43)に110手で勝ち, シリーズ4勝3敗で初防衛を果たした。[Akira Watanabe Osho (age 29) defeats challenger Yoshiharu Habu 3-crown (age 43) in 110 moves to win series 4-3 and defend title for the first time.]. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140401082223/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASG3S6DKJG3SUCVL01Y.html. April 1, 2014. December 15, 2017.
9. News: . Ōshōsen, Gōda Kudan ga Saishūkyoku Sesshi Hatsu Dasshu. ja:王将戦, 郷田九段が最終局制し初奪取. Japanese. Osho Match: Goda 9 dan wins final game to capture title for the first time. Sankei Shimbun. March 27, 2015. 挑戦者で先手の郷田真隆九段(44)が渡辺明王将(30)＝棋王＝に99手で勝ち, 対戦成績を4勝3敗として初めて王将位を奪取した。[Challenger Goda 9-dan (age 44) defeats defending champion Watanabe (age 30)—also reigning [[Kioh]] holder—in 99 moves as sente to win match 4–3 and capture the Osho title for the first time.]. March 31, 2015.
10. News: . Gōda Ōshō, Habu Meijin wo Yaburi Hatsu Bōei Ōshōsen. ja:郷田王将, 羽生名人を破り初防衛　将棋王将戦. Japanese. Goda Osho defeats Habu Meijin to defend title for the first time since becoming Osho. Asahi Shimbun. March 19, 2016. March 27, 2016.
11. News: Murase. Shinya. Kubo Kudan, Ōshō no Taitoru Dasshu Gōda Ōshō ni Yonshō Nihai. ja:久保九段, 王将のタイトル奪取 郷田王将に4勝2敗. Japanese. Kubo 9-dan defeats Goda Osho 4-2 to capture Osho Title. Asahi Shimbun. March 15, 2017. March 16, 2017.
12. News: . Kubo Ōshō ga Bōei Shōgi, Toyoshima Hachidan wo Yaburu. ja:久保王将が防衛 将棋, 豊島八段を破る. ja. Kubo Ōshō defends title, defeats Toyoshima 8d. March 15, 2018. The Nikkei. Kyodo News. March 16, 2018.
13. News: . Watanabe Yonrenshō de Shin Ōshō ni Gokiburi Tsūsan Sankime no Fukui Kubo wa Mukan ni. ja:渡辺4連勝で新王将に 5期ぶり通算3期目の復位 久保は無冠に. ja. Watanabe wins Ōshō title 4-0 to recapture title for the 3rd time and first time in 5 years; Kubo loses his only major title. February 25, 2019. Mainichi Shimbun. February 25, 2019.
14. News: Yamamura. Hideki. Sokojikara, Nebari, Kōka na Seme Ōshō Bōei no Watanabe Shigatsu kara Zensho de Chōsen Kimeta Meijinsen e Hazumi ni. ja:底力, 粘り, 果敢な攻め　王将防衛の渡辺 4月から全勝で挑戦決めた名人戦へ弾みに. ja. Digging deep and showing resourceful, effective attacking, Watanabe defends his Ōshō to pick up some momentum as he challenges for the Meijin title starting this April. March 26, 2020. Mainichi Shimbun. March 26, 2020.
15. News: . Ōshōsen, Watanabe ga Sanrenpa Shōgi. ja:王将戦, 渡辺が3連覇 将棋. ja. Watanabe wins Ōshō for third consecutive time.. March 14, 2021. The Nikkei. Kyodo News. March 15, 2021.
16. News: . Fujii, Sainenshō Gokan Tassei Jūkyūsai Rokkagetsu Ōshōsen Yonrenshō. ja:藤井, 最年少5冠達成 19歳6カ月　王将戦4連勝. ja. Fujii wins four straight games to capture the Ōshō title and become the youngest 5-crown title holder at age 19 years and 6 months. February 12, 2022. Sankei Shimbun. February 12, 2022.
17. News: . Shōgi ｢Ōshōsen｣ Fujii Gokan ga Habu Kudan ni Katte Taitoru Bōei. ja:将棋 ｢王将戦｣ 藤井五冠が羽生九段に勝ってタイトル防衛. ja. Shogi Ōshō Tournament: Fujii 5-crown defeats Habu 9-dan to defend title. March 12, 2023. NHK News Web. March 13, 2023.
18. News: . Shōgi ｢Ōshōsen｣ Daiyonkyoku Fujii Sōta Hachikan Kotoshi Saisho no Taitoru Bōei. ja:将棋 ｢王将戦｣ 第4局 藤井聡太八冠 ことし最初のタイトル防衛. ja. Shogi's "Ōshō-sen": Sōta Fujii 8-crown successful in first title defence of the year.. February 8, 2024. NHK News Web. April 10, 2024.
19. Web site: . Eisei Shōgō - Meiyo Shōgō Kakutokusha Ichiran. ja:永世称号･名誉称号 獲得者一覧. List of Lifetime Title Holders. Japanese. Japan Shogi Association. 王将戦 永世王将 通算10期 大山康晴 (1973)・羽生善治 (2007). [Osho Match: Lifetime Osho, A total of 10 times, Yasuharu Oyama (1973) - Yoshiharu Habu (2007)]. March 31, 2015.
20. Web site: Shōgi Taikai: Zenkoku Amachua Ōshōi Taikai. ja:将棋大会 全国アマチュア王将位大会. Japanese. Shogi Tournaments: All Japan Amateur Osho Tournament. Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2015.