Nishiyama becomes 1st woman eligible for shogi's main pro ranks
KANAZAWA (Kyodo) -- Shogi player Tomoka Nishiyama on Saturday became the first woman eligible to join the game's main professional "kishi" ranks, whic
Tomoka Nishiyama, a 31-year-old shogi player, has become the first woman eligible to join the game's main professional ranks, known as kishi. Nishiyama achieved this milestone by winning her fifth Hakurei title, the most prestigious championship in women's professional shogi. She defeated Kana Fukuma in the best-of-seven series 4-1 in Kanazawa, central Japan.
Nishiyama expressed uncertainty about her immediate plans to join the ranks, stating that she needs to consult others and consider the matter carefully. Shogi, a traditional board game similar to chess, has separate professional systems for kishi and joryu kishi, or women's players. Last year, the Japan Shogi Association introduced a new rule allowing a female professional player to qualify for the kishi ranks by winning the Hakurei title five times.
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