Kazushi Watanabe

Kazushi Watanabe (渡辺 和史, Watanabe Kazushi, born October 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 4-dan.

Kazushi Watanabe
Native name渡辺和史
Born (1994-10-06) October 6, 1994
HometownShinjuku, Tokyo
NationalityJapanese
Career
Achieved professional statusOctober 1, 2019(2019-10-01) (aged 24)
Badge Number319
Rank4-dan
TeacherTakahiro Toyokawa (7-dan)
Ryūō class6
Websites
JSA profile page

Early life and education

Watanabe was born on October 6, 1984, in Shinjuku, Tokyo.[1] He learned how to play shogi from his father when he was about five years old,[2] and was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school under the guidance of shogi professional Takahiro Toyokawa at the rank of 6-kyū in February 2008.[2][3][4] He was promoted to the rank of apprentice professional 3-dan in April 2013,[2][3][4] but finished with a record of 1 win and 17 losses in his first season of 3-dan League (54th 3-dan League October 2013 – March 2014).[5] Encouraged not to give up and not to worry about being demoted to 2-dan by his mentor Toyokawa,[4] Watanabe's results improved and he finally obtained full professional status and the corresponding rank of 4-dan in October 2019 after winning the 65th 3-dan League (April 2019 – September 2019) with a record of 16 wins and 2 losses.[2][3][4][6]

Watanabe has stated that he has been interested in the study of history ever since he was a young boy. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in Taisho University because he wanted to broaden his horizons instead of just focusing on shogi. He graduated from the university in 2016.[7]

Promotion history

Watanabe's promotion history is as follows:[8]

  • 2013, October: 3-dan
  • 2019, October 1: 4-dan

References
  1. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Watanabe Kazushi" 棋士データベース: 渡辺和史 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kazushi Watanabe] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  2. "Shinyondan Tanjō no Oshirase" 新四段誕生のお知らせ [New 4-dan announced] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. August 15, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  3. "Watanabe Kazushi Sandan to Ishikawa Yūta Sandan ga Yondan Shōdan Jūgatsu Tsuitachi Hizuke de Puro Kishi ni" 渡辺和史三段と石川優太三段が四段昇段 10月1日付でプロ棋士に [Kazushi Watanabe 3-dan and Yūta Ishikawa 3-dan promoted to 4-dan; the two will officially become professional shogi players on October 1]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). September 7, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  4. "Watanabe Kazushi Sandan, Ishikawa Yūta Sandan ga Puro Iri Kimeru Jūgatsu Tsuitachi de Yondan Shōdan" 渡辺和史三段, 石川優太三段がプロ入り決める 10月1日付で四段昇段 [Kazsuhi Watanabe 3-dan and Yūta Ishikawa 3-dan qualify to be professional shogi players; the two will be officially promoted to 4-dan on October 1.]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). September 7, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  5. "Dai Goujūyonkai Shōreikai Sandan Rīgusen Nisenjūsannen Jūgatsu kara Nisenjūyonenen Sangatsu" 第54回奨励会三段リーグ戦 2013年10月–2014年3月 [54th apprentice school 3-dan league: October 2013 to March 2014] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  6. "Dai Rokujūgokai Shōreikai Sandan Rīgusen Nisenjūkyūnen Shigatsu kara Nisenjūkyūnen Kugatsu" 第65回奨励会三段リーグ戦 2019年4月–2019年10月 [65th apprentice school 3-dan league: April 2019 to September 2019] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  7. Watanabe, Kazushi (October 18, 2019). "Rekishi Gakka Sotsugyōsei no Katsuyaku" 歴史学科卒業生の活躍 [Activities of History Department Graduates] (Interview) (in Japanese). Taisho University. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  8. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Watanabe Kazushi Shōdan Rireki" 棋士データベース: 渡辺和史 昇段履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kazushi Watanabe Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 18, 2019.


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