Toshiaki Kubo Explained

Toshiaki Kubo
Native Name:久保利明
Born:August 27, 1975
Hometown:Kakogawa, Hyōgo
Badge No:207
Rank:9 dan
No Titles:7
Tournaments:6
Ryuoclass:1
Meijinclass:B2
Jsa:207

is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a former Ōshō and Kiō title holder.　

Early life

Kubo was born in Kakogawa, Hyōgo on August 27, 1975.[1] He learned shogi when he was about four years old, and at the encouragement of a friend of his father soon began playing regularly at the Kobe Shogi Center in neighboring Kobe. The center was managed by shogi professional who became Kubo's shogi teacher after the two played a 19-piece "Naked King" handicap game. In 1986, he advanced to the semi-finals of the 11th as fifth-grade elementary school student, but lost to the eventual tournament winner and fellow future shogi professional Daisuke Suzuki. Later that same year, Kubo entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of Awaji. He was awarded professional status and the rank of 4-dan on April 1, 1993, at the age of 17.[2]

Shogi professional

Kubo's first appearance in a major title match came in 2000 when he challenged Yoshiharu Habu for the 26th Kiō title. Kubo advanced to the title match by defeating Masataka Gōda 2 games to 0 to win the two-game challenger playoff, but was unable to defeat Habu, losing the match 3 game to 1.[3] The following year, he also challenged Habu for the 49th Ōza title, but lost once again by the same score.[4] In 2007, Kubo once again challenged Habu in the 55th Ōza title match, but was defeated 3 games to 0.[5]

Kubo's first major title victory came in 2009 when he defeated Yasumitsu Satō 3 games to 2 to take the 34th Kiō title.[6] Kubo successfully defended his title for the next two years by defeating Satō once again 3 games to 2 in 2010[7] and Akira Watanabe 3 games to 1 in 2011.[8] Kubo, however, was unable to defend his title for the third consecutive year, losing the 37th title match to Gōda 3 games to 1.[9]

In 2008, Kubo challenged Habu for the 57th Ōshō title, but lost the match 4 games to 1.[10] The two met again in 2009 for the 59th Ōshō title, and this time Kubo was the winner by the score of 4 games to 2.[11] The victory made Kubo a "2-crown" (a player who simultaneously holds two major titles) for the first time.[12] Kubo successfully defended his title the following year by defeating Masayuki Toyoshima 4 games to 2,[13] but lost the 61st Ōshō title match to Satō 4 games to 1 in 2012.[14] Kubo won the title for the third time in 2017 when he defeated Gōda 4 games to 2 to win the 66th Ōshō title,[15] and successfully defend his title in 2018 when defeated Toyoshima once again 4 games to 2 to win the 67th Ōshō title.[16] Kubo, however, was unable to defend his title once again the following year when he lost the 68th Ōshō match to Watanabe 4 games to none.[17]

In SeptemberOctober 2020, Kubo challenged Takuya Nagase for the 68th Ōza title, but lost the match 3 games to 2.[18]

On November 5, 2021, Kubo defeated Shin'ya Satō in an to become the 25th person to win 800 official games as a professional and was awarded the "Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award" as a result.[19] [20]

Playing style

Kubo is considered to be one of the foremost specialists in the Ranging Rook opening and has been nicknamed the by fellow professionals for his skill at handling such positions. He is also known for his ability to persevere in difficult, even disadvantageous, positions and has been nicknamed the as well. Kubo along with fellow ranging rook specialists Takeshi Fujii and Daisuke Suzuki are collectively referred to as the "Ranging Rook Big Three".[21]

Promotion history

Kubo's promotion history is as follows:[22]

Titles and other championships

Kubo has appeared in major title matches a total of fifteen times, and has won the Kiō title three times and Ōshō title four times.[23] In addition to major titles, Kubo has won six other shogi championships during his career.[24]

Major titles

Title Years Number of times overall
Kiō2008103
Ōshō200910, 2016174

Other championships

Tournament Years Number of times
20101
20171
NHK Cup20031
2012132
19981
Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.

Awards and honors

Kubo has received a number awards and honors throughout his career for his accomplishments both on an off the shogi board. These include awards given out annually by the JSA for performance in official games as well as other awards for achievement.[25] [26]

Annual shogi awards

Other awards

Year-end prize money and game fee ranking

Kubo has finished in the "Top 10" of the JSA's fourteen times and in the "Top 3" twice since turning professional.

Year Amount Rank
2001 ¥24,400,000 8th[27]
2003 ¥18,180,000 10th
2004 ¥24,407,000 7th
2007 ¥26,800,000 7th[28]
2008 ¥24,020,000 8th[29]
2009 ¥33,410,0004th[30]
2010 ¥48,290,000 3rd[31]
2011 ¥46,590,000 3rd[32]
2012 ¥32,330,000 6th[33]
2013 ¥17,880,000 9th[34]
2017 ¥30,190,000 4th[35]
2018 ¥25,980,000 7th[36]
2019 ¥21,780,000 8th[37]
2020 \24,210,000 7th[38]

Personal life

Kubo's eldest daughter Shōko is a women's professional shogi player.[39]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 . ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  2. Book: Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Jō] A-Ta Gyō]. ja:現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [上] あ-た. ja. 2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [First volume] Letter "A" to Letter "Ta". 42. 2015. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. Google Books. November 27, 2017.
  3. Web site: Dai Nijūrokki Kiōsen: ･Chōsensha Kettei Tōnamento/Goban Shōbu. ja:第26期棋王戦: 挑戦者決定トーナメント／五番勝負. ja. 26th Kiō Tournament: Challenger Tournament/5-game Match. 2000. Japan Shogi Association. December 19, 2017.
  4. Web site: Dai Yonjūkyūki Ōzasen: ･Chōsensha Kettei Tōnamento/Goban Shōbu. ja:第49期王座戦: 挑戦者決定トーナメント／五番勝負. ja. 49th Ōza Tournament: Challenger Tournament/5-game Match. 2000. Japan Shogi Association. December 19, 2017.
  5. Web site: Dai Gojūgoki Ōzasen Goban Shōbu ...Habu Ōza, Boei (Jūrokurenpa). ja:第55期王座戦五番勝負…羽生王座, 防衛（16連覇）. ja. 55th Ōza 5-game title match... Habu Ōza defends title (wins tournament for 16th consecutive year). October 4, 2007. Igo & Shogi Channel. December 19, 2017.
  6. Web site: Dai Sanjūyonki Kiōsen ... Kubo Hachidan, Dasshu. ja:第34期棋王戦…久保八段, 奪取. ja. 34th Kiō Tournament ... Kubo 8d takes title.. March 31, 2009. Igo & Shogi Channel. December 19, 2017.
  7. Web site: Dai Sanjūgoki Kiōsen ... Kubo Kiō, Bōei (Nirenpa) . ja:第35期棋王戦…久保棋王, 防衛(2連覇). ja. 35th Kiō Tournament ... Kubo Kiō defends title (wins two years in a row). March 31, 2010. Igo & Shogi Channel. December 19, 2017.
  8. News: . Kubo Kiō ga Sanrenpa, Watanabe Ryūō Kudasu, Shōgi･Dai Sanjūroku Kiōsen. ja:久保棋王が3連覇, 渡辺竜王下す 将棋･第36期棋王戦. 36th Kiō Match: Kubo Kiō defeats Watanabe Ryūō to hold title for 3rd consecutive year.. ja. March 18, 2011. Asahi Shimbun. December 19, 2017.
  9. News: . Shōgi･Gōda Kudan ga Kiō Dasshu, Jūnenburi Taitoru. ja:将棋･郷田九段が棋王奪取 10年ぶりタイトル. Shogi's Goda 9 dan captures Kiō title to win first major title in 10 years.. ja. March 17, 2012. Asahi Shimbun Digital. December 19, 2017.
  10. Web site: Dai Gojūnanaki Ōshōsen ... Habu Ōshō, Boei (Yōnrenpa). ja:第57期王将戦…羽生王将, 防衛（4連覇）. ja. 57th Ōshō Tournament ... Habu Ōshō defends title (wins for the fourth year in a row).. February 29, 2008. Igo & Shogi Channel. December 19, 2017.
  11. 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.. ja. 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.
  12. Book: Shōgi Taitorusen Sanjūnenshi 1998-2013. ja:将棋タイトル戦30年史 1998～2013年編. ja. 30 Year History of Shogi Major Title Matches: Years 1998-2013. 2014. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 406. 978-4-8399-5097-2. Google Books. December 19, 2017.
  13. 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. ja. 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 Ōshō (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.
  14. 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. ja. 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 Satō 9-dan (age 42) defeats Toshiaki Kubo Osho (age 36) in 109 moves to win match 4-1 and capture the title.]. December 19, 2017.
  15. 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. ja. Kubo 9-dan defeats Goda Ōshō 4-2 to capture Ōshō Title. Asahi Shimbun. March 15, 2017. December 19, 2017.
  16. 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 18, 2018.
  17. 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.
  18. News: . Shōgi･Nagase Ōza ga Bōei Sanshō Nihai de Kubo Kudan Yaburu. ja:将棋･永瀬王座が初防衛 3勝2敗で久保九段破る. ja. Nagase Ōza defends title; defeats Kubo 9-dan 3 games to 2. October 14, 2020. The Nikkei. October 15, 2020.
  19. Web site: Kubo Toshiaki Kudan, Happyakushō (Shōgi Eiyo Kantōshō) Tassei. ja:久保利明九段, 800勝(将棋栄誉敢闘賞)達成. ja. Toshiaki Kubo 9-dan wins 800th official game.. November 8, 2021. Japan Shogi Association. December 28, 2021.
  20. News: . Kubo Toshiaki Kudan ga Happyakushō Shōgi. ja:久保利明九段が800勝 将棋. ja. Shogi: Toshiaki Kubo 9d reaches 800 wins. November 15, 2021. Asahi Shimbun. December 28, 2021.
  21. Book: Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Jō] A-Ta Gyō]. ja:現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [上] あ-た. ja. 2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [First volume] Letter "A" to Letter "Ta". 43. 2015. MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. Google Books. November 27, 2017.
  22. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki Shōdan Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 昇段履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo Promotion History. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  23. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki Taitoru Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 タイトル履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo Major Title History. Japan Shogi Association. October 15, 2020.
  24. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki Yūshō Rireki. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 優勝履歴. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo Championship History. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  25. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki Shōgi Taishō. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 将棋大賞. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo Annual Shogi Awards. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  26. Web site: Kishi Dētabēsu: Kubo Toshiaki Sonota Hyōshō. ja:棋士データベース: 久保利明 その他表彰. ja. Professional Shogi Player Database: Toshiaki Kubo Other Awards. Japan Shogi Association. December 28, 2021.
  27. Web site: Nenkan Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō TOP10. ja:年間獲得賞金･対局料TOP10. Annual Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10. ja. Kishi-mania. dead. https://archive.today/20140523023204/http://kishi-mania.jp/prizemoney. May 23, 2014. November 27, 2017.
  28. Web site: Nisennananen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū. ja:2007年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20. 2007 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20. ja. March 1, 2008. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  29. Web site: Nisenhachinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū. ja:2008年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20. 2008 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20. ja. March 2, 2009. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  30. Web site: Nisenkyūnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū. ja:2009年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20. 2009 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20. ja. March 5, 2010. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  31. Web site: Nisenjūnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū. ja:2010年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20. 2010 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20. ja. February 16, 2011. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  32. Web site: Nisenjūichinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū. ja:2011年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20. 2011 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20. ja. February 16, 2012. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  33. Web site: Nisenjūninen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū. ja:2012年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10. 2012 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10. ja. February 18, 2013. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  34. Web site: Nisenjūsannen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū. ja:2013年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10. 2013 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10. ja. February 7, 2014. Japan Shogi Association. November 27, 2017.
  35. Web site: Nisenjūnananen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū. ja:2017年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10. 2017 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10. ja. February 6, 2018. Japan Shogi Association. February 7, 2018.
  36. Web site: Habu Yoshiharu Kudan ga Ninenburi Ichi'i Nisenjūhachinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū. ja:羽生善治九段が2年ぶり1位 2018年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10. 2018 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10: Yoshiharu Habu 9-dan reclaims top position after two years . ja. February 7, 2019. Japan Shogi Association. February 8, 2019.
  37. Web site: Nisenjūkyūnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū. ja:2019年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10. 2019 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10. ja. February 3, 2020. Japan Shogi Association. February 4, 2020.
  38. News: Yamamura. Hideki. Toyoshima Ryūō ga Ninen Renzoku Shōkin Ichi'i, Gonenburi Ichi Oku En Kishi ni Fujii Nikan wa Yon'i ni. ja:豊島竜王が2年連続賞金1位, 5年ぶり1億円棋士に 藤井2冠は4位に. ja. Toyoshima Ryūō becomes the first professional shogi player earn 100 million or more yen in five years and finishes at the top of the earnings list for the second consecutive year. Fujii 2-crown finishes fourth.. February 5, 2021. Mainichi Shimbun. February 12, 2021.
  39. News: . Kubo Kudan no Chōjo Shōko-san ga Joryūkishi ni, Oyako Puro wa Geneiki Sangumime, Ōsaka no Joshikōsei de, Chichi to Onaji Furibishatō. ja:久保九段の長女翔子さんが女流棋士に 父娘プロは現役3組目 大阪の女子高生で, 父と同じ振り飛車党. ja. Toshiaki Kubo 9-dan's oldest daughter Shōko becomes a women's professional; the two become the third father-daughter pair to be active shogi professionals. Shōko is currently a high school student in Osaka and is a ranging rook player like her father. September 30, 2022. Sports Nippon. October 19, 2022.

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