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Kōichi Fukaura (深浦 康市, Fukaura Kōichi, born February 14, 1972) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 9-dan. He is a three-time winner of the Ōi tournament, and also a former member of the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors.

Early life

Fukaura was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki on February 14, 1972. As a young boy, he defeated Kōji Tanigawa, who was the reigning Meijin title holder at the time, in a Rook handicap game at a shogi event in Fukuoka in 1983. Shortly thereafter, he went to stay with relatives in Ōmiya, Saitama in order to be closer to Tokyo and study under shogi professional Motoji Hanamura [ja]. In 1984, Fukaura entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school in 1984 at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of Hanamura. Although promotion to 5-kyū took a year, he progressed more rapidly up the ranks after that and obtained full-professional status in October 1991 at the age of 19.

Shogi professional

Fukaura's first tournament victory as a professional came in his first tournament as professional when he defeated Kunio Yonenaga 3 games to 2 in the final of the 1992 All Nihon Pro Shogi Tournament [ja].

In 1993, he won the Hayazashi Senshuken [ja] and Quick Play Young Professionals Tournament [ja] tournaments. He would win the Quick Play Young Professionals Tournament three more times from 1999 to 2001, becoming the only player to win the tournament three years in a row.

In 2002, Fukaura defeated defending champion Kazushiza Horiguchi 3 games to 1 to win the 21st Asahi Open [ja] tournament. Fukaura advanced to the championship match by defeating Habu in the final game of the challenger tournament. The following year, however, Fukaura was unable to repeat his result, when lost the 22nd Asahi Open and his title to Habu three games to two.

Fukaura's first appearance in a major title match came in 1996 when he challenged Yoshiharu Habu for the 37th Ōi title, but was defeated 4 games to 1. His next major title appearance came more than 10 years later in 2007 when he once again challenged Habu for the Ōi title. Fukaura defeated reigning Ryūō title holder Akira Watanabe to win the right to challenge Habu for the 48th Ōi title, and then went on to beat Habu 4 games to 3 to capture his first major title. Fukaura successfully defended his Ōi title against Habu in 2008 (4 games to 3), and then again in 2009 against Kazuki Kimura (4 games to 3). Fukaura lost the first three games to Kimura before coming back to win the final four and defend his title, thus becoming only the second player to ever come back from such a deficit in a 7-game match. He was, however, unable to defend his title for the third consecutive time when he lost the 51st Ōi match to Akihito Hirose 4 games to 2 in 2010.

In January 2009, Fukaura became the 39th player to reach 600 wins in official games when he defeated Daisuke Nakagawa in the 2nd Asahi Cup Open [ja] tournament. His winning percentage of .681 was the fourth highest of all professionals who had previously achieved the same result. That same year, Fukaura and Habu met once again in the 58th Ōshō title match. Fukaura was actually leading the match 3 games to 2 before Habu won the final two games to defend his title. The two met again in the title matches of the 81st Kisei (in 2010) and 82nd Kisei (in 2011) with Habu defending his title each time by the score of 3 games to 0. Game 2 of the 82nd Kisei had to actually be replayed with colors reversed because the first game ended in sennichite. The replay game lasted 206 moves before Habu won.

In November 2017, Fukaura became the 19th player to win 800 official games when he defeated Shintarō Saitō in a 67th Ōshō challenger league game.

Fukaura defeated Akira Inaba to win the 69th NHK Cup in March 2020.

Promotion history

Fukaura's promotion history is as follows:

• 6-kyū: 1984
• 1-dan: 1987
• 4-dan: October 1, 1991
• 5-dan: August 27, 1994
• 6-dan: July 22, 1997
• 7-dan: June 28, 2001
• 8-dan: April 1, 2004
• 9-dan: September 26, 2008

Titles and other championships

Fukaura has appeared in major title matches a total of eight times, and has won the Ōi three times. In addition to major titles, Fukaura has won ten other shogi championships during his career.

Major titles

Other championships

Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.

Awards and honors

Fukaura has received a number of awards and honors throughout his career for his accomplishments both on an off the shogi board. These include awards given out annually by the JSA for performance in official games as well as other JSA awards for career accomplishments, and awards received from governmental organizations, etc. for contributions made to Japanese society.

Annual Shogi Awards

• 21st Annual Awards (April 1993 – March 1994): Best New Player, Fighting-spirit Award
• 22nd Annual Awards (April 1994 – March 1995): Fighting-spirit Award
• 23rd Annual Awards (April 1995 – March 1996): Most Games Played, Most Games Won
• 31st Annual Awards (April 2003 – March 2004): Technique Award, Best Winning Percentage
• 35th Annual Awards (April 2007 – March 2008): Fighting-spirit Award, Game of the Year
• 38th Annual Awards (April 2010 – March 2011): Game of the Year
• 44th Annual Awards (April 2016 – March 2017): Game of the Year

Other awards

• 2007: Nagasaki Prefecture Citizen's Commendation/Special Award
• 2009: Shogi Honor Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional)
• 2017: Shogi Fighting Spirit Honor Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of winning 800 official games as a professional)

Year-end prize money and game fee ranking

Fukaura has finished in the "Top 10" of the JSA's year-end prize money and game fee rankings [ja] fourteen times and in the "Top 3" once since 1993.

• Note: All amounts are given in Japanese yen and include prize money and fees earned from official tournaments and games held from January 1 to December 31.

JSA director

Fukaura was selected to be a non-executive director for a two-year term at the 63rd JSA Annual General Meeting held in June 2012. He served in this capacity until June 2014.

References

1. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
2. ^ Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Ge] Ta-Wa Gyō 現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [下] た-わ行 [2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook Letter "Ta" to letter "Wa"] (in Japanese). MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 2015. p. 34. ASIN B019SSNKVA. Retrieved November 29, 2017 – via Google Books.
3. ^ "Kōchō Fukaura ni Habu ga Idomu Asahi Ōpun Shōgi Goban Shōbu Nanoka Kamaku" 好調深浦に羽生が挑む 朝日オープン将棋 五番勝負７日開幕 [Habu challenges an in-form Fukaura: Asashi Open 5-game title match begins on the 7th]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). April 6, 2004. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
4. "Dai Nijūnikai Asahi Ōpun Shōgi Senshuken" 第22回朝日オープン将棋選手権 [22nd Asahi Open Shogi Tournament] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
5. "Dai Yonjūhakki Ōisen" 第48期王位戦 [48th Ōi Tournament] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2007. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
6. "Dai Yonjūhakki Ōisen...Fukaura Hachidan, Taitoru Dasshu" 第48期王位戦...深浦八段, タイトル奪取 [48th Ōi Tournament...Fukaura 8d takes title] (in Japanese). Igo & Shogi Channel. September 27, 2007. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
7. "Dai Yonjūkyūki Ōisen...Fukaura Ōi, Hatsu Bōei" 第49期王位戦...深浦王位, 初防衛 [49th Ōi Tournament...Fukaura Ōi defends title for first time] (in Japanese). Igo & Shogi Channel. September 29, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
8. Murakami, Koji (September 30, 2009). "Shōgi･Fukaura Ōi ga Sanrenpa, Sanrenpai kara Gyakuten Bōei" 将棋･深浦王位が3連覇, 3連敗から逆転防衛 [Fukaura Ōi three-peats, comes back from a 0-3 deficit to defend title]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved November 29, 2017.
9. "Shōgi, Hirose ga Hatsu Taitoru Kakutoku / Fukaura Ōi wo Yonshō Nihai de Yaburu" 将棋, 広瀬が初タイトル獲得/深浦王位を4勝2敗で破る [Shogi, Hirose wins first major title. Defeats Fukaura Ōi 4 games to 2]. Shikoku Shimbun (in Japanese). September 2, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
10. Shōgi Taitorusen Sanjūnenshi 1998-2013 将棋タイトル戦30年史 1998～2013年編 [30 Year History of Shogi Major Title Matches: Years 1998-2013] (in Japanese). MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 2014. p. 406. ISBN 978-4-8399-5097-2. Retrieved November 29, 2017 – via Google Books.
11. "Fukaura Kōichi Ōi, Roppyakushō wo Tassei" 深浦康市王位, 600勝を達成 [Kōichi Fukaura Ōi reaches 600 wins] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. January 21, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
12. "Dai Gojūhakki Ōshōsen...Habu Ōshō, Bōei (Gorenpa)" 第58期王将戦...羽生王将, 防衛 (5連覇) [58th Ōshō Tournament...Habu Ōshō wins title for fifth consecutive time] (in Japanese). Igo & Shogi Channel. March 27, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
13. "Habu Meijin, Kisei-i wo Bōei Sanrenshō de Fukaura Ōi wo Kudasu" 羽生名人, 棋聖位を防衛 3連勝で深浦王位を下す [Habu Meijin defends Kisei title, defeats Fukaura Ōi three games to none]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). June 26, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
14. "Dai Hachijūniki Kiseisen...Habu Kisei, Bōei (Yonrenpa)" 第82期棋聖戦...羽生棋聖, 防衛(4連覇) [82nd Kisei Tournament...Habu Kisei wins title for fourth consecutive time] (in Japanese). Igo & Shogi Channel. July 4, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
15. "Habu Kisei ga Nirenshō Shogi Kiseisen Dainikyoku" 羽生棋聖が2連勝 将棋棋聖戦第2局 [Habu Kisei wins second consecutive game: Game 2 of the Kisei title match]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). June 25, 2011. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
16. "Fukaura Kudan ga Happyakushō" 深浦九段が800勝 [Fukaura 9d reaches 800 wins]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
17. "Shogi no NHKhai Fukaura Kudan ga HatsuV" 将棋のNHK杯 深浦九段が初V [Fukaura 9-dan wins Shogi's NHK Cup for the first time.]. Daily Tōhoku (in Japanese). March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
18. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi Shōdan Rireki" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 昇段履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
19. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi Taitoru Rireki" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 タイトル履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura Major Title History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
20. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi Yūshō Rireki" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 優勝履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura Championship History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
21. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi Shōgi Taishō" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 将棋大賞 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura Annual Shogi Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
22. "Kishi Dētabēsu: Fukaura Kōichi Sonota Hyōshō" 棋士データベース: 深浦康市 その他表彰 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kōichi Fukaura Other Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
23. ^ "Nenkan Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō TOP10" 年間獲得賞金･対局料TOP10 [Annual Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Kishi-mania. Archived from the original on May 23, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
24. "Nisenrokunen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū" 2006年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2006 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. March 1, 2007. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
25. "Nisennananen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū" 2007年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2007 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. March 1, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
26. "Nisenhachinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū" 2008年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2008 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. March 2, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
27. "Nisenkyūnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū" 2009年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2009 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. March 5, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
28. "Nisenjūnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū" 2010年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2010 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 16, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
29. "Nisenjūichinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto 20" 2011年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20 [2011 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 16, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
30. "Nisenjūninen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū" 2012年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2012 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 18, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
31. "Nisenjūyonnen Kakutoku Shōkin･ Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū" 2014年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2014 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 3, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
32. "Nisenjūgonen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū" 2015年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2015 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 5, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
33. "Nisenjūrokunen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū" 2016年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2016 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 3, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
34. "Habu Yoshiharu Kudan ga Ninenburi Ichi'i Nisenjūhachinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū" 羽生善治九段が2年ぶり1位 2018年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10 [2018 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10: Yoshiharu Habu 9-dan reclaims top position after two years] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
35. "Nihon Shōgi Renmai Shinyakuin no Oshirase" 日本将棋連盟新役員のお知らせ [Announcement of new JSA directors] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. June 8, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
36. "Dai Rokujūgokai Tsūjō Sōkai Kaisai" 第65回通常総会開催 [65th Annual General Meeting held] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. June 9, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2017.

External links

• ShogiHub: Professional Player Info · Fukaura, Koichi

• 1972 births
• Japanese shogi players
• Japan Shogi Association players
• Living people
• Professional shogi players from Nagasaki Prefecture
• People from Sasebo
• Ōi (shogi)
• Ginga