Amahiko Satō

Amahiko Satō (佐藤 天彦, Satō Amahiko, born January 16, 1988) is a Japanese professional shogi player, ranked 9-dan. He is a former Meijin title holder.

Amahiko Satō
Born (1988-01-16) January 16, 1988
HometownFukuoka
Career
Achieved professional statusApril 1, 2010(2010-04-01) (aged 22)
Badge Number263
Rank9 dan
TeacherIsao Nakata
Major titles won3
Tournaments won3
Meijin classA
Ryūō class1
Websites
JSA profile page
Amahiko Satō on Twitter

Early life and apprentice shogi professional

Satō was born in Fukuoka on January 18, 1988.[1] He attended elementary school and junior high school in Fukuoka, but moved to Chiba Prefecture to attend senior high school.[2]

He entered the Japanese Shogi Association's apprentice school in September 1998 when he was in the fifth-grade under the guidance of shogi professional Isao Nakata, who is also from Fukuoka and began giving Satō guidance online.[2][3]

Shogi professional

Satō's first tournament victory as a professional came in September 2008 when he defeated Yoshitaka Hoshino 2 games to none to win the 39th Shinjin-Ō tournament.[4][5] He won the same tournament in October 2011 when he defeated Masayuki Toyoshima 2 games to 1 to win the 42nd Shinjin-Ō tournament.[6][7]

In July 2015, Satō defeated Toyoshima once again, this time in the 63rd Ōza title challenger tournament final, to advance to his first major title match.[8] In the best-of-five final against defending champion Yoshiharu Habu, Sato was leading the match 2 games to 1 before Habu came back to win the last two games and defend his title.[9]

Satō's next appearance in a major title match came in February 2016 when he challenged Akira Watanabe for the 41st Kiō title.[10] Satō advanced to the title match by defeating Yasumitsu Satō 2 games to none in the final of the challenger tournament,[11] but ended up losing to Watanabe 3 games to 1.[12]

In May 2016, Satō won his first major title when he defeated Habu 4 games to 1 win the 74th Meijin title. Satō advanced to the Meijin title match by winning the Meijin Class A ranking league in his first season in the league.[13] Satō successfully defended his Meijin title in 2017 by defeating Akira Inaba (75th Meijin Match: 4 games to 2)[14] and in 2018 by defeating Habu (76th Meijin Match: 4 games to 2).[15] In each of these title defenses, Satō lost two of the first three games before coming back to win the match.[14][15]

In December 2016, Satō defeated Shōta Chida 2 games to none to win the 2nd Eiō Tournament.[16] The victory meant that Satō qualified to play the winner of a tournament involving top computer shogi programs in a two-game match the following Spring. Sato lost both games of the match held in April–May 2017 to the program Ponanza.[17]

Satō defeated Hisashi Namekata to win the 26th Ginga-sen in September 2018.[18]

Satō was unable to defend his Meijin title for the third consecutive time, losing the 77th Meijin Match (April–May 2019) to challenger Toyoshima 2-crown 4 games to none.[19]

Disqualification for violating rules regarding masks

In October 2022, Satō became the first shogi professional to be disqualified during an official game for non-compliance with the JSA's rules regarding the wearing of face masks. In February 2022, the JSA instituted new provisional rules for official game play that had previously only be recommended practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. These rules required players to properly wear a face mask during official games, except when eating, drinking or other instances where masks may be allowed to be removed for short-periods of time. On October 28, 2022, Satō's Meijin Class A ranking league game against Takuya Nagase started around 11 a.m. with both players wearing face masks as required; however, as the game continued on into the late evening, Satō left his mask hanging from one ear for roughly 30 minutes while concentrating on the game. Since there was no referee present monitoring game play at the time, Nagase left the playing room to seek further assistance. After discussing the matter, JSA President Yasumitsu Satō and JSA Executive Director Daisuke Suzuki notified Satō that he was disqualified for a failure to wear a mask and the game was declared a win for Nagase. Satō unhappy with this result claimed his removal of the mask was unintentional and that he should have been warned before being disqualified, but his protest was denied. Satō was advised that he could submit a formal grievance in writing about the matter if he was unwilling to accept the decision. Satō submitted such a grievance on November 1, 2022, stating that he apologized for what happened but also that the JSA's response was excessive and that he should have been warned first. He also requested that the disqualification ruling be overturned and the game be replayed. The JSA accepted Sato's grievance and it was discussed by the JSA's board of directors. After assessing Satō's grievance as well as its response, the JSA released a statement on its official website on January 13, 2023, in which it stated the actions of President Satō and Executive Director Suzuki had been appropriate and that the disqualification result would stand.[20][21][22]

Promotion history

The promotion history for Satō is as follows:[23]

  • 6-kyū: September 1998
  • 4-dan: October 1, 2006
  • 5-dan: April 30, 2009
  • 6-dan: April 21, 2011
  • 7-dan: April 19, 2012
  • 8-dan: January 8, 2015
  • 9-dan: May 31, 2016

Titles and other championships

Satō has appeared in major title matches a total of six times. He has won the Meijin title three times.[24] In addition to major titles, Satō has won four other shogi championships during his career: the Shinjin-Ō (2008 and 2011), the Eiō Tournament (2016), and the Ginga-sen (2018).[25]

Awards and honors

Satō has received a number of Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Awards throughout his career. He won the "Best New Player" award in 2008; the "Best Winning Percentage" and "Most Consecutive Games Won" awards in 2010; the "Most Games Won", "Most Games Played", "Most Consecutive Games Won", "Game of the Year", and "Fighting-spirit" awards in 2015; the "Fighting-spirit" award in 2016; and the "Game of the Year" in 2019.[26][27]

In addition to awards for shogi, Satō was selected as one of GQ Japan's "Men of the Year" for 2017. Sato won the "Boom" award.[28]

Year-end prize money and game fee ranking

Satō has finished in the "Top 10" of the JSA's year-end prize money and game fee rankings six times: 6th place with JPY 21,660,000 in earnings for 2015;[29] 3rd place with JPY 57,220,000 in earnings for 2016;[30] 2nd place with JPY 72,550,000 in earnings in 2017;[31] 2nd place with JPY 59,990,000 in earnings in 2018;[32] 6th place with JPY 36,870,00 in earnings in 2019.[33] and 8th place with JPY 18,190,000 in earnings for 2022.[34][35]

References
  1. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Amahiko" 棋士データベース: 佐藤天彦 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Amahiko Satō] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  2. "Aishō ｢Kizoku｣ Habu kara Meijin-i Dasshu/Satō Amahiko Ryakureki" 愛称 ｢貴族｣ 羽生から名人位奪取／佐藤天彦名人略歴 [Nicknamed "The Noble", a brief personal history of Amahiko Satō/the man who took the Meijin title from Habu]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 15, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  3. "Chigau Ginga wa Takusan Aru koto ga Wakatta Kotoshi Hatsu Bōei wo Hatashita Shōgi no Dai Nanajūgo Meijin Satō Amahiko-san" 違う銀河がたくさんあることが分かった 今年初防衛を果たした 将棋の第75期名人 佐藤天彦さん ["There are many different worlds" says 75th Shogi Meijin Amahiko Satō]. Nishinippon Shimbun (in Japanese). November 12, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  4. "Shōgi Shinjin-Ō ni Satō Yondan" 将棋新人王に佐藤四段 [Satō 4d wins shogi's Shinjin-Ō] (in Japanese). Japanese Communist Party. September 26, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. "Dai Sanjūkyūki Shinjin'Ōsen" 第39期新人王戦 [39th Shinjin-Ō tournament] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. "Shōgi no Shinjin'Ōsen Satō ga Toyoshima wo Kudasu" 将棋の新人王戦 佐藤が豊島を下す [Satō defeats Toyoshima to win Shinjin-Ō Tournament]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). November 1, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  7. "Dai Yonjūniki Shinjin'Ōsen" 第42期新人王戦 [42nd Shinjin-Ō tournament] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  8. "Shōgi Ōzasen, Satō Hachidan ga Chōsenshaken wo Kakutoku" 将棋王座戦, 佐藤八段が挑戦権を獲得 [Shogi Ōza Tournament, Satō 8d is the challenger]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  9. Fukamatsu, Shinji (October 26, 2015). "Habu Ōza ga Bōei ni Seiko Shōgi Ōzasen, Yonnen Renzoku Nijūsankime" 羽生王座が防衛に成功 将棋王座戦, 4年連続23期目 [Habu Successfully Defends Oza Title for 4th Consecutive Year to Hold Title for 23rd Time Overall]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  10. Fujita, Masatoshi (February 10, 2016). "Taitorusen de Mezurashii Yūjin Taiketsu" タイトル戦で珍しい友人対決 [Rare matchup between friends in title match]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  11. "Dai Yonjūikki Kiōsen: Chōsensha Kettei Tōnamento" 第41期棋王戦: 挑戦者決定トーナメント [41st Kio Tournament: Challenger Tournament] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  12. "Kiōsen, Watanabe Kiō ga Yonrenpa" 棋王戦, 渡辺棋王が4連覇 [Watanabe wins Kiō for 4th consecutive year]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). March 21, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  13. Yamamura, Hideki (June 1, 2016). "Amahiko Sato beats Yoshiharu Habu to capture Meijin title in his first attempt". Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  14. Murase, Shinya (June 6, 2017). "Satō Meijin, Nijūdai Taiketsu Seishi Hatsubōei Shōgi Meijinsen Nanaban Shōbu" 佐藤名人, 20代対決制し初防衛 将棋名人戦七番勝負 [Shogi Meijin 7-game match: Satō Meijin wins the battle of the 20-somethings to defend title for first time]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  15. Yamamura, Hideki (June 20, 2018). "Satō ga Sanrenpa Yonshō Nihai de Habu Kudasu" 佐藤が3連覇 4勝2敗で羽生降す [Satō wins for third consecutive time, defeats Habu 4 games to 2]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  16. "Shōgi no Satō Meijin, Raishun Sofuto to Taikyoku Eiōsen Seisu" 将棋の佐藤名人, 来春ソフトと対局 叡王戦制す. The Nikkei (in Japanese). December 11, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  17. "Satō Meijin Kutsujoku, Ponanza ni Renpai" 佐藤名人屈辱, ポナンザに連敗 [Satō Meijin humiliated, loses twice in a row to Ponanza]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). May 20, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  18. "Satō Meijin ga Hatsu Bui Shōgi･Gingasen" 佐藤名人が初V 将棋･銀河戦 [Satō Meijin wins Ginga-sen for first time]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). September 27, 2018. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  19. "Toyoshima Nikan ga Meijin Dasshu, Sanka ni Heiseumare Hatsu no Meijin Tanjō" 豊島二冠が名人奪取, 三冠に 平成生まれ初の名人誕生 [Toyoshima 2-crown capture Meijin title to become a 3-crown and also the first player born in the Heisei Era to become Meijin]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  20. Murase, Shinya; Kitano, Arata (October 30, 2022). "Top-ranked shogi player Sato disqualified for leaving mask off". Asahi Shimbun. Source cited is an unattributed staff member English translation of a Japanese article by Murase and Kitano that appeared in Asahi Shimbun the previous day. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  21. "Hansokumake no Satō Amahiko Kudan, Renmei ni Fufuku Mōshidatesho Teishutsu" 反則負けの佐藤天彦九段, 連盟に不服申立書提出 [Disqualified shogi player Amahiko Satō files grievance]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). November 1, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  22. "Shōgi Masuku Fuchaku Mondai, Satō Kudan no Fufuku Mōshidate Mitomezu Shōgi Renmei" 将棋マスク不着用問題, 佐藤九段の不服申し立て認めず 将棋連盟 [Japan Shogi Association does not accept Satō 9-dan's grievance regarding his disqualification for not wearing a mask]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  23. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Amahiko Shōdan Rireki" 棋士データベース: 佐藤天彦 昇段履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Amahiko Satō Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  24. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Amahiko Taitoru Rireki" 棋士データベース: 佐藤天彦 タイトル履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Amahiko Satō Major Title History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  25. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Amahiko Yūshō Rireki" 棋士データベース: 佐藤天彦 優勝履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Amahiko Satō Championship History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  26. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Amahiko Shōgi Taishō" 棋士データベース: 佐藤天彦 将棋大賞 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Amahiko Satō Annual Shogi Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  27. "Saiyūshūkishishō wa Toyoshima Nikan Fujii Shichidan wa ｢Myōshu｣ de Jushōlhanguage=ja" 最優秀棋士賞は豊島二冠 藤井七段は｢妙手｣で受賞 [Toyoshima 2-crown named "Player of the Year"; Fujii 7d wins award for "best move".]. Asahi Shimbun. April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  28. "These Are the Winners of 'GQ Men of the Year 2017'". GQ Japan (in Japanese). Condé Nast. November 22, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  29. "2015nen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto 10" 2015年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10 [2015 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 5, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  30. "2016nen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto 10" 2016年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10 [2016 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  31. "2017nen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto 10" 2017年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10 [2017 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  32. "Habu Yoshiharu Kudan ga Ninenburi Ichii 2018nen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto 10" 羽生善治九段が2年ぶり1位 2018年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10 [2018 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10: Yoshiharu Habu 9d reclaims top position after two years] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  33. "2019nen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto 10" 2019年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10 [2019 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  34. "Shōgi･Fujii Sōta Gokan ga Nisennijūninen Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Ichiokunisennihyakugomanen de Hatsu no Ichii! Zennen San'i kara Hiyaku" 将棋･藤井聡太五冠が2022年賞金･対局料1億2205万円で初の１位! 前年3位から飛躍 [2022 professional shogi year-end prize money and game fee ranking: Sōta Fuji 5-crown captures top spot for the first time! Jumps from 3rd to 1st with ¥122,050,000]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  35. "Nisennijūninen Kakutoku Shōkin - Taikyokuryō Besuto Ten" 2022年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2022 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 3, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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