Shogi

Teruhiko Tsuji

Representative of Tsuji Soba, Member of Yamagata Mita-kai, 1963 Faculty of Law

Every spring, "Human Shogi" is held at the summit of Mt. Maizuru in Tendo City. It is an event where people dressed as samurai in armor or court ladies act as shogi pieces to battle. When the players announce their moves and the large Oshō drums are struck, the sight of the human pieces moving according to instructions is truly a warrior picture scroll on a board. A guide board in the plaza states, "Human Shogi follows the historical anecdote where Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi enjoyed a field match against his nephew, Kanpaku Hidetsugu, at Fushimi Castle amidst blooming cherry blossoms, using pages and court ladies as pieces."

Yuzo Tsuji, the head of the tourism association at the time who conceived and executed "Human Shogi," was my father. When I asked him about the inspiration, he said, "I saw human chess in a Western picture book shown to me by the president of a certain inn." I really wanted to see it too, but unfortunately, the picture book was later destroyed in a fire.

When film director Keisuke Kinoshita visited Tendo, I guided him to the site of "Human Shogi" and explained it. The director said, "There is a historical anecdote that Louis XIV of France enjoyed human chess at the Palace of Versailles." I enjoy imagining on my own that perhaps the roots of "Human Shogi" lie in the Palace of Versailles.

Tatsuya Sugimura

Lawyer, Shogi AI Developer, 2010 Faculty of Law

It is said that with the advancement of artificial intelligence, humanity may lose its jobs. In fact, the world of shogi has already experienced how to interact with AI ahead of others.

In 2017, the shogi AI Ponanza won two consecutive matches against a professional Meijin player. As of 2022, the shogi AI "Suisho," which I am developing, boasts a winning rate of over 99 percent against that Ponanza. AI has left humanity behind in terms of strength in shogi.

So, has shogi become obsolete as a result? Not at all. Using the power of shogi AI, professional players are enhancing their skills and improving the precision of their moves day and night. Furthermore, the existence of professional players who notice hidden brilliant moves that shogi AI cannot reach without calculating hundreds of millions of positions has been discovered, and the mystery of the human brain has been reaffirmed through the scale of AI. The world of shogi has expanded further because of AI.

In the world of shogi, AI has become a partner rather than an enemy of humanity. I believe the future where artificial intelligence develops is not necessarily dark.

Wataru Kamimura

Japan Shogi Association Professional Player, 2014 Faculty of Science and Technology

Professional shogi is becoming more severe as every position is quantified by AI evaluations. I prefer the "Side Pawn Capture" (Yokofudori) opening when playing Gote (the second player), but this opening receives a harsh evaluation for Gote. If pushed to the limit by a god of shogi, Sente (the first player) would likely win. Choosing the Side Pawn Capture as Gote is somewhat like competing in a track and field event starting behind the line.

In the past, "Side Pawn Capture" was a major opening in Double Static Rook (Ai-ibisha) matches. Some players used it consecutively when playing Gote in title matches. It was a popular strategy that allowed Gote to take the offensive. However, due to the influence of AI, its usage has plummeted. In my case, however, the Side Pawn Capture suits me, and I use it because I feel there are fewer mistakes in the way the game develops. Even if you choose an opening highly rated by AI, the evaluation value will drop if you make a mistake. In that case, isn't it better to choose the Side Pawn Capture from the start and aim for a mistake-free game? I now believe it is more advantageous to choose an opening where I can play many good moves and express my own style. Since there are other players who like the Side Pawn Capture, there should be no fear of the opening itself becoming extinct.

Tatsuya Narumi

Teacher at Keio Senior High School, Director of the Shogi Club

Unlike baseball or soccer, shogi is not something that requires belonging to an organization to play. This is especially true in recent years, as one can play against people all over the world via the internet. In fact, among students who do not belong to the Shogi Club, many continue shogi as a personal hobby while belonging to sports organizations at school or in the community.

That being the case, what is the meaning of establishing something like a Shogi Club in a school?

I believe that the experience of students managing an organization where people with the same aspirations gather is the essence of school club activities. Resolving troubles while coordinating sometimes conflicting opinions among members is a valuable experience that cannot be gained just by playing shogi. Therefore, as the director, I try to keep my presence as minimal as possible and only appear when something occurs that the members cannot resolve on their own.

The members seem to apply the "ability to read ahead and accurately choose the next move" cultivated through shogi to the management of the club, and fortunately, there is almost no need for the director to step in.