Kenji Waki Explained

Kenji Waki
Native Name:脇謙二
Born:August 10, 1960
Hometown:Osaka
Badge No:138
Rank:9-dan
Teacher Rank:9-dan
Tournaments:3
Meijinclass:free
Ryuoclass:6
Jsa:138

is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is also currently the senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association.

Early life and apprenticeship

Waki was born on August 10, 1960, in Osaka, Japan.[1] He learned shogi at a shogi class taught by shogi professional, and in 1975 he was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school under the guidance of Takashima at the rank of 5-kyū. He was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in 1977, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in October 1978.[2] [3]

Shogi professional

Waki became the 48th professional to win 600 official games when he defeated Masahiko Urano on February 3, 2015.[4]

In March 2019, Waki voluntarily declared himself as a free class player, thus leaving the Meijin tournament league.[5] [6] [7]

Theoretical contributions

Waki is known for his innovations in the Yagura opening, and the Waki System is named after him.

Promotion history

The promotion history for Waki is as follows:[8]

Titles and other championships

Waki has yet to appear in a major title match, but he has won three non-title championships during his career. He won the once (1983), and the twice (1984 and 1985).[9]

Awards and honors

Waki received the JSA's "25 Years Service Award" in recognition of being an active professional for twenty-five years in 2004, and the "Shogi Honor Award" in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional in 2015.[10] He also received the Japan Shogi Association's “Masuda Special Prize” Annual Shogi Award for the 20192020 shogi year.[11]

JSA director

Waki was selected to be the senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors for a two-year term at the association's 70th General Meeting on June 7, 2019,[12] and re-elected to additional two-year terms in June 2021[13] and June 2023.[14]

Personal life

Waki is married to professional Go player Masako Araki.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji. ja:棋士データベース: 脇謙二. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki. Japan Shogi Association. June 8, 2019.
  2. . Kishi Meikan: Hachidan Waki Kenji. ja:棋士名鑑: 八段 脇 謙二. ja. Player Directory: Kenji Waki 8-dan. 平成26年版 将棋年鑑 2014 (Shogi Yearbook: Heisei 26 (2014) edition). 556. 2014. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. Google Books. 978-4-8399-5175-7. June 10, 2019.
  3. Book: Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Ge] Ta-Wa Gyō]. ja:現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [下] た-わ行. ja. 2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [Last volume] Letter "Ta" to letter "Wa". 2015. 69. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. Google Books. B019SSNKVA. June 10, 2019.
  4. Web site: Waki Kenji Hachidan, Roppyakushō (Shōgi Eiyoshō) wo Tasei. ja:脇謙二八段, 600勝(将棋栄誉賞)を達成. ja. Kenji Waki 8d reaches 600 wins (awarded "Shogi Honor Award"). February 4, 2015. Japan Shogi Association. June 10, 2019.
  5. Web site: Nisenjūkyūnendo kara no Furīkurasu Tenshutsusha. ja:2019年度からのフリークラス転出者. ja. Players moving to free class from April 2019. April 3, 2019. Japan Shogi Association. May 18, 2019.
  6. News: . Nisenjūkyūnendo kara no Furīkurasu Tenshutsu wo .... ja:2019年度からのフリークラス転出を.... ja. Moving to free class from April 2019. April 5, 2019. Mainichi Shimbun. subscription. May 18, 2019.
  7. News: . Waki to Izumi ga Furīkurasu ni. ja:脇と泉がフリークラスに. ja. Waki and Izumi to free class. April 22, 2019. Asahi Shimbun. May 18, 2019.
  8. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Shōdan Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 脇謙二 昇段履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Promotion History. Japan Shogi Association. April 3, 2021.
  9. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Yūshō Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 脇謙二 優勝履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Championship History. Japan Shogi Association. June 10, 2019.
  10. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Eisaku Sonota Hyōshō. ja:棋士データベース: 脇謙二 その他表彰. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Other Awards. Japan Shogi Association. June 10, 2019.
  11. News: . Shōgi Taishō, Saiyūshūkishishō ni Watanabe Sankan...Nikaime. ja:将棋大賞, 最優秀棋士賞に渡辺明三冠...2回目. ja. Shogi Annual Awards: Watanabe 3-crown wins “Player of the year” for the second time.. April 1, 2020. Yomiuri Shimbun. April 4, 2020. November 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106181900/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/igoshougi/20200401-OYT1T50211/amp/%3Fusqp=mq331AQRKAGYAajT-anjx57LggGwASA%253D. dead.
  12. Web site: Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shinyakuin no Oshirase. ja:日本将棋連盟新役員のお知らせ. ja. Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members. June 7, 2019. Japan Shogi Association. June 10, 2019.
  13. Web site: Dai Nanajūnikai Tsūjō Sōkai Gohōkoku. ja:第72回通常総会ご報告. ja. Report on 72nd General Meeting. June 4, 2021. Japan Shogi Association. December 10, 2022.
  14. Web site: Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shiyakuin no Oshirase. ja:日本将棋連盟新役員のお知らせ. ja. Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members. June 9, 2023. Japan Shogi Association. June 20, 2023.