THE JAPAN NEWS

 

OSAKA (Jiji Press) — Sota Fujii, the youngest professional shogi player in Japan, extended the winning streak since his debut to a record 11th match on Tuesday.

Fourth-dan Fujii, only 14 years old, set the record when he defeated 40-year-old seventh-dan Hiroshi Kobayashi in 104 moves at a qualifier for the Osho Sen tournament at the Kansai shogi hall in Osaka.

Last October, Fujii, a third-year junior high school student residing in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, made his pro debut at the age of 14 years and 2 months.

“I struggled as my predictions didn’t work out in the middle of the match,” he said. “I didn’t do well in the match — that’s what I need to reflect on.”

On the new record, he said, “I’m genuinely pleased, as it’s more than I could have hoped for considering my ability at the moment.”

“I was baffled by some unexpected moves Fujii made,” loser Kobayashi said.