From the names in today's headlines to the legends who shaped the game. Knowing them makes the news far more fun.
Turned pro in 2016 at 14 years 2 months, breaking a 62-year-old record. He won his first 29 official games, and in October 2023 became the first player to hold all eight major titles at once. His is the name you'll see most in shogi news.
In 1996 he held all seven major titles of the time at once, and in 2017 earned every lifetime title, the 'Eisei Nanakan'. He received the People's Honour Award in 2018.
In 1954, at 14 years 7 months, he became the first junior-high-school pro, a record that stood for 62 years until Sota Fujii broke it. He was also Fujii's first opponent. After retiring in 2017 at 77 he was loved on TV as 'Hifumin'. He died in January 2026, aged 86.
A Polish player who discovered shogi through the manga Naruto. She moved to Japan and in 2017 debuted as the first foreign women's professional. Since retiring in 2023 she has worked to spread shogi in Europe.
Born in 2002 like Fujii, and famous for beating him at a primary-school tournament and leaving him in tears. In 2024 he took the Eio title and ended Fujii's eight-crown reign, and in 2025 he added the Oza.
Also known by her maiden name Kana Satomi, she has dominated the women's titles for years. In 2022 she took the transfer exam to become a full professional, the same status men hold.
A powerhouse of the Hakurei, the top women's title. She narrowly failed the 2025 transfer exam, but in October 2026 her fifth Hakurei made her the first woman to qualify for full professional status. Reports say she has not yet decided whether to take it.
A women's professional who opened her YouTube channel, Katomomo Channel, in February 2026, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with players. She is also an ambassador for Makinohara in Shizuoka.
Channels that are still posting regularly. Even without Japanese you can follow the moves on the board.
Run by professional Taichi Nakamura. As the name (hajime, 'beginning') says, it offers lessons for people new to shogi and a look at players' everyday life.
A shogi-idol VTuber, 1-dan on Shogi Wars, who streams shogi every night and runs the Tampopo Cup, an online tournament anyone can join. An easy watch for beginners.
A strong amateur, 7-dan on Shogi Wars and a three-time national university team champion, who explains the aggressive Right Fourth-file Rook and the latest AI research clearly.
Run by professional Tetsuya Fujimori, the most-subscribed channel of any professional player. His commentary while playing real games is great fun.
Creator of the Kamaitachi surprise opening, known for his books on it in the 1980s and 1990s. In the project 'Eisyun Suzuki's challenge at 75' he comments on his own Shogi Wars games.
4-dan on Shogi Wars. He plays lightning three-minute games with surprise openings of his own invention, Gori-Gori Gold and the Gorilla's Right Hand, and commentates with gusto.
The shogi channel of chess creator Souta Chess. A new video every two days, with ideas such as shogi versus chess that newcomers enjoy too.
A shogi channel Hello Shogi enjoys watching. Try to guess the next move before it is played; watching alone makes you stronger.
