Kenji Waki
Kenji Waki | |
---|---|
![]() Kenji Waki in Himeji, Japan (November 11, 2018) | |
Native name | |
Born | August 10, 1960 |
Hometown | Osaka |
Career | |
Achieved professional status | July 16, 1979 | (aged 18)
Badge Number | 138 |
Rank | 9-dan |
Teacher | Kazukiyo Takashima (9-dan) |
Tournaments won | 3 |
Meijin class | free |
Ryūō class | 6 |
Websites | |
JSA profile page |
Kenji Waki (
Early life and apprenticeship
[edit]Waki was born on August 10, 1960, in Osaka, Japan.[1] He learned shogi at a shogi class taught by shogi professional Kazukiyo Takashima , and in 1975 he was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school under the guidance of Takashima at the rank of 5-kyū. He was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in 1977, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in October 1978.[2][3]
Shogi professional
[edit]Waki became the 48th professional to win 600 official games when he defeated Masahiko Urano on February 3, 2015.[4]
In March 2019, Waki voluntarily declared himself as a free class player, thus leaving the Meijin tournament league.[5][6][7]
Theoretical contributions
[edit]Waki is known for his innovations in the Yagura opening, and the Waki System is named after him.[3]
Promotion history
[edit]The promotion history for Waki is as follows:[8]
- 5-kyū: 1975
- 1-dan: 1977
- 4-dan: July 16, 1979
- 5-dan: April 1, 1983
- 6-dan: April 1, 1984
- 7-dan: October 1, 1990
- 8-dan: November 16, 2000
- 9-dan: April 1, 2021
Titles and other championships
[edit]Waki has yet to appear in a major title match, but he has won three non-title championships during his career. He won the Young Lions Tournament once (1983), and the Quick Play Young Professionals Tournament twice (1984 and 1985).[9]
Awards and honors
[edit]Waki received the JSA's "25 Years Service Award" in recognition of being an active professional for twenty-five years in 2004, and the "Shogi Honor Award" in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional in 2015.[10] He also received the Japan Shogi Association's “Masuda Special Prize” Annual Shogi Award for the 2019–2020 shogi year.[11]
JSA director
[edit]Waki was selected to be the senior managing director of the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors for a two-year term at the association's 70th General Meeting on June 7, 2019,[12] and re-elected to additional two-year terms in June 2021[13] and June 2023.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Waki is married to professional Go player Masako Araki.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji"
棋士 データベース:脇 謙二 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 8, 2019. - ^ "Kishi Meikan: Hachidan Waki Kenji"
棋士 名鑑 :八 段 脇 謙二 [Player Directory: Kenji Waki 8-dan].平成 26年版 将棋 年鑑 2014 (Shogi Yearbook: Heisei 26 (2014) edition) (in Japanese). MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 2014. p. 556. ISBN 978-4-8399-5175-7. Retrieved June 10, 2019 – via Google Books. - ^ a b c Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Ge] Ta-Wa Gyō
現役 プロ棋士 データブック2016 [下 ] た-わ行 [2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [Last volume] Letter "Ta" to letter "Wa"] (in Japanese). MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 2015. p. 69. ASIN B019SSNKVA. Retrieved June 10, 2019 – via Google Books. - ^ "Waki Kenji Hachidan, Roppyakushō (Shōgi Eiyoshō) wo Tasei"
脇 謙 二 八 段 , 600勝 (将棋 栄誉 賞 )を達成 [Kenji Waki 8d reaches 600 wins (awarded "Shogi Honor Award")] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 4, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2019. - ^ "Nisenjūkyūnendo kara no Furīkurasu Tenshutsusha" 2019
年度 からのフリークラス転出 者 [Players moving to free class from April 2019] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 3, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019. - ^ "Nisenjūkyūnendo kara no Furīkurasu Tenshutsu wo ..." 2019
年度 からのフリークラス転出 を... [Moving to free class from April 2019]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). April 5, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019. - ^ "Waki to Izumi ga Furīkurasu ni"
脇 と泉 がフリークラスに [Waki and Izumi to free class]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). April 22, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019. - ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Shōdan Rireki"
棋士 データベース:脇 謙二 昇段 履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved April 3, 2021. - ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Yūshō Rireki"
棋士 データベース:脇 謙二 優勝 履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Championship History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 10, 2019. - ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Waki Kenji Eisaku Sonota Hyōshō"
棋士 データベース:脇 謙二 その他 表彰 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Waki Other Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 10, 2019. - ^ "Shōgi Taishō, Saiyūshūkishishō ni Watanabe Sankan...Nikaime"
将棋 大賞 ,最優秀 棋士 賞 に渡辺 明 三 冠 ...2回 目 [Shogi Annual Awards: Watanabe 3-crown wins “Player of the year” for the second time.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). April 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2020. - ^ "Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shinyakuin no Oshirase"
日本 将棋 連盟 新 役員 のお知 らせ [Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019. - ^ "Dai Nanajūnikai Tsūjō Sōkai Gohōkoku"
第 72回 通常 総会 ご報告 [Report on 72nd General Meeting] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. June 4, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2022. - ^ "Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shiyakuin no Oshirase"
日本 将棋 連盟 新 役員 のお知 らせ [Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
External links
[edit]- ShogiHub: Professional Player Info · Waki, Kenji