One of the eight major shogi titles, the first game of the "Kiosen" was held in Nagano City, where Sota Fujii five crowns (20) won the title holder Akira Watanabe two crowns (38), becoming the youngest player in history. We have made a good start to achieve the six crowns.

The fifth match of the "Kioh Battle" will begin on the 5th in Nagano City.



The challenger, Fujii Gokan, holds five titles: Ryuo, Oi, Eio, Osho, and Kisei.



If he maintains the five crowns and wins this "Kio match", he will be the first to achieve "six crowns" since Yoshiharu Hanyu 9th dan (52), and will break the youngest record for the first time in 29 years.



On the other hand, Watanabe's double crown has been defending the title since winning the "Kiosen" for the first time 10 years ago, and this time it will take 11 consecutive victories.



In the first game on the 5th, after exchanging Okoma's "horns" in the early stages, the two sides attacked each other and progressed at a fast pace.



After that, Fujii Gokaku, the first player, attacked from both sides of the board with long thoughts in between, while Watanabe Nikaku, the second player, counterattacked with the corners of his pieces.



Towards the end of the game, Fujii won't let up on his offense, while Watanabe's double crown also showed tenacity until the end, but he pitched up to 125 moves at 7:01 pm.



Fujii five crowns decorated the first match with a victory and made a good start to achieve the youngest "six crowns" in history.



After the game, Fujii Gokan said, "There was a battle on the entire board, and it was difficult to decide what direction to take throughout the game. I think I got off to a good start, so I will do my best in the next game and beyond."

On the other hand, the defeated Watanabe double crown said, "I didn't really know where the game was going to end. I have about two weeks until the next game, so I want to start over."



The schedule for the 5th game of the "Kioh Battle" will be set for next month, and the first to win three wins will win the title.



The second station will be held in Kanazawa City on the 18th of this month.