Hattori Wins Deciding Match, Will Challenge Ryuoh Champion Fujii
Listen to the story
Shinichiro Hattori, who holds the rank of shichidan, has won the third and final game of a special shogi match against Kanta Masegi, a godan-ranked player.
The match decided who would become the challenger for the Ryuoh title. Because Hattori won, he will now play against Sota Fujii, the current Ryuoh champion.
The match between Hattori and Masegi was a best-of-three series. This means the players played up to three games, and the first to win two games would move forward.
Masegi was also hoping to earn a special promotion during the match, known as 'tobitsuki'. This is a way for a player to jump to a higher rank quickly by winning important games.
However, since Masegi lost the deciding match, he did not receive this promotion.
After the match, Masegi spoke about his loss. He said he wants to get stronger and come back to compete again in the future.
Ryuoh is one of the most important titles in professional shogi, Japan's traditional strategy board game. Winning it, or even becoming the challenger for it, is a major achievement for any player.
Hattori will now prepare to face Fujii, who is well known as one of the strongest shogi players in Japan today. The full details of when their match will take place were not included in the report.
Vocabulary7 words
- shogi
- a Japanese board game similar to chess
- shichidan
- rank level seven in professional shogi
- godan
- rank level five in professional shogi
- challenger
- a player who competes for a big title
- Ryuoh
- the name of a top shogi championship title
- best-of-three
- a series where the first player to win two games wins overall
- tobitsuki
- a special quick promotion to a higher rank
Quiz
Answer key
1. He became the challenger for the Ryuoh title 2. A special quick promotion to a higher rank 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Shinichiro Hattori, who holds the rank of _____, has won the third and final game.
He played against Kanta Masegi, a _____-ranked player.
The match decided who would become the _____ for the Ryuoh title.
Hattori will now play against Sota _____, the current Ryuoh champion.
The match was a _____ series.
Masegi was hoping to earn a special promotion called '_____'.
This is a way to jump to a higher _____ quickly.
Since Masegi lost, he did not receive this _____.
Masegi said he wants to get _____ and come back.
Ryuoh is one of the most important _____ in professional shogi.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think becoming a 'challenger' is such an important step in shogi?
- What do you think motivates a player like Masegi to keep improving after a loss?
- Do you think special promotions like 'tobitsuki' are a good idea? Why or why not?
- Have you ever played a board game like shogi or chess? What did you enjoy about it?