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]
- 5-kyū: 1975
- 1-dan: 1977
- 4-dan: July 16, 1979
- 5-dan: April 1, 1983
- 6-dan: April 1, 1984
- 7-dan: October 1, 1990
- 8-dan: November 16, 2000
- 9-dan: April 1, 2021
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
- 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.
- . 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.