Tokyo, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)–The Japan Shogi Association said Monday that it has accepted an application from “joryu kishi” female professional shogi player Tomoka Nishiyama to join the main pro ranks of “kishi” for the first time as a woman. Nishiyama, 31, who holds four joryu titles, is set to be promoted to fourth dan and join kishi’s free class on April 1 next year. “I’ve decided (to become a kishi) because I want to fight against stronger opponents and rise higher,” she told a press conference at the association’s Shogi Kaikan building in Tokyo on Monday. Shogi, a traditional board game, has two professional systems–joryu, which is limited exclusively to women, and kishi with no such restriction. Nishiyama met the criteria to become a kishi player as she won the “Hakurei” title for the fifth time by defeating challenger Kana Fukuma, 34, on Oct. 10. Kishi players are divided into five classes, ranging from the top A class to the lowest C2 class. Each class holds a ranking tournament every year. Nishiyama will start in the free class outside this framework and participate in games other than the ranking tournaments. Given that Nishiyama continues to participate in joryu tournaments such as the Hakurei title series, concerns are growing that her schedule will be very tight. On this, association executive Daisuke Katagami said that since there is no precedent, the association will consider appropriate measures as things progress. Under the rules on the free class, players can earn promotion to C2 if they reach a winning percentage of at least 65 pct over 30 or more consecutive games within the 10 years of entering the class. Nishiyama said, “I hope my best efforts in each game will eventually lead me to such a result.” If she fails to earn promotion within the period, she must retire as a kishi player. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
