In the shogi world, Sota Fujii, now a four-crown titleholder, continues his charge. In the Heisei era it was Yoshiharu Habu, 9-dan; in the Showa era, Yasuharu Oyama, 15th Lifetime Meijin, and Makoto Nakahara, 16th Lifetime Meijin, each defined an age. The player who stayed at the top across the long span of Showa and Heisei is Hifumi Kato, 9-dan, who won the Meijin title in 1982.
A special paid lecture, “The Famous Games in Which Hifumi Kato 9-dan Won the Meijin Title,” in which Kato, known by the nickname Hifumin, will explain in plain language the famous games of his prime, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 23, a national holiday, at the Mainichi Cultural Center on the first floor. Looking back on battles he staked his life on, we will hear Kato’s philosophy of winning.
Kato has also written a tsume-shogi column for many years in the monthly Ie no Hikari. A series by the same author in the same magazine for more than 60 years is said to be the world’s longest. We will also hear secrets of that long run and of composing tsume-shogi. After the lecture, signed fans, shikishi cards, and books will be on sale.
Capacity is 30. The fee is 4,600 yen (tax included). Apply to the Mainichi Cultural Center (03-3213-4768).