Shogi champ Fujii kicks off Ryuo title defense

e battle for the Ryuo title, the most prestigious of all eight major shogi titles, began Oct. 7 between 20-year-old defending champion Sota Fujii and eighthdan challenger Akihito Hirose in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

Both players, wearing traditional Japanese attire, appeared at the Cerulean Tower Noh eater. e rst match in the bestof-seven series of the 35th Ryuo shogi tournament started with Hirose making the rst move.

Shogi star Fujii currently holds ve of the eight major titles and is defending his Ryuo title for the rst time. Hirose, a former Ryuo title holder, is aiming to claim it again. (Oct. 8)

The Yomiuri Shimbun Sota Fujii, right, moves a piece during the first match in a best-of-seven series against eighth-dan challenger Akihito Hirose at the 35th Ryuo shogi tournament in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, on Oct. 7.