[Japan Shogi Federation] Shogi Japan Series 2nd round, 4th game, Fujii JT Cup champion aiming for third consecutive victory appears, first-time participant Sasaki 7-dan takes on the challenge, Sota Fujii JT Cup champion vs.
Daichi Sasaki 7th Dan
*Japan Shogi Federation*
Press release: September 20, 2024
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Shogi Japan Series 2nd round 4th match: Fujii JT Cup champion aiming for third consecutive victory appears, first appearance Sasaki 7-dan takes on the challenge Sota Fujii JT Cup champion vs. Daichi Sasaki 7-dan
*Tomorrow, September 21st (Saturday) Sapporo Convention Center (Sapporo City, Hokkaido) *
“Shogi Japan Series
The fourth game of the second round of the “JT Pro Official Match” (hereinafter referred to as the “JT Cup”) (Hokkaido tournament) will be a match between Sota Fujii, the JT Cup champion, and Daichi Sasaki, 7-dan, who defeated Yoshiharu Habu, 9-dan, in the fourth game of the first round. It will be held at the Sapporo Convention Center in Sapporo, Hokkaido. A heated public match will be held in front of the spectators who have applied in advance to win, as well as the participants of the Tablemark Children’s Tournament, which will be held at the same venue. The event will also be broadcast live on ABEMA starting at 3:35 pm.
Second round 4th station live broadcast “ABEMA” URL *
https://abema.tv/channels/shogi/slots/9J3rLMBb2u5YRu*
■Highlights of the match
The match record between the two is 9 wins and 4 losses for the Fujii JT Cup champion. Last year, they faced each other twice in the title game. The fighting style consists of 8 interlocks, 3 kakuwawari koshikakegin, and 2 yokobutori. When Sasaki 7-dan took the first turn, he used interlocking in all seven games in the past, and all of the matches in which Sasaki 7-dan won 4 games against the Fujii JT Cup Champions were all interlocking, so he is the best. It can be assumed that this is a strategy that he is confident in. Until now, the Fujii JT Cup champion has always relied on Sasaki 7-dan to take the lead. What should be noted is what the Fujii JT Cup champion will use when he becomes the first player.
Even if the first player changes the corner and aims for a silver medal, the second player rarely takes advantage of it, but either he dares to step in, or the Fujii JT Cup champion uses it twice when it is his turn to go first and wins twice. It is also possible to take a side step. At this tournament, Fujii JT Cup champion will become the second JT Cup champion in history to win three consecutive JT Cup titles. First of all, how can we survive this first match? This fresh showdown between players in their 20s is sure to be a heated battle that will attract viewers.
■Commentators enliven the attention-grabbing game
(Photo) From left Commentary/Ayumu Matsuo, 8th dan Listener/Kumi Yamada, female 4th dan Reading/Tomoko Kutsu, female 3rd dan
The main commentary is by Ayumu Matsuo, 8th Dan. He is known for the depth of his research in the early stages, as he has created a new technique called the “Matsuo style” for Irook Anaguma and
Yokobutori. Her attractive low-pitched voice and ability to clearly convey the message will surely liven up the venue. Fujii is from Aichi Prefecture, the same as the JT Cup champion, so we look forward to his commentary incorporating local stories.
■“JT Pro Official Match” Tournament Table
*Titles and ranks are as of September 20, 2024.
■Live broadcast schedule at ABEMA
*Broadcast start time is subject to change.
■Purpose of sponsoring the tournament (JT Group)
Everyone from children to adults can enjoy playing shogi in their own way. There is a special “time” here that fosters spiritual richness that you can experience because you can see, point, and interact with the Shogi Japan Series.
More spiritual richness for each individual. The JT Group is close to the appeal of shogi and supports everyone who loves the game.
■Tournament name
Sponsored by: Japan Shogi Federation, local newspaper companies (Japan Shogi Federation only in Kanto and Osaka)
Sponsored by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, local government and board of education in the host area, Junior Chamber of Commerce in the host area, etc.
Sponsored by: JT, Tablemark
■Tournament information
Tournament official homepage https://www.jti.co.jp/culture/shogi/index.html “JT Cup” Official X https://x.com/jt_shogi
■Inquiries
Shogi Japan Series” General Secretariat TEL/03-5166-0290 E-mail/info@jt-shogi.jp 1-8-10 Harumi Triton Square Building X, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-6039 Inside I&S BBDO Co., Ltd.
*We also provide “photos of shogi players” and “various survey data.”