The long-anticipated first match of the 74th Shogi King's Cup, also known as the ALSOK Cup, unfolded on January 12-13, 2025, at the serene tea room of Kakegawa Castle, Shizuoka Prefecture. The reigning champion, 22-year-old Sota Fujii, faced off against 32-year-old challenger Takuya Nagase. Diving straight back to competitive intensity, Fujii notched up his first victory, paving the way for what could be his fourth consecutive title win.
The match began with both players eager to prove themselves. It was Fujii who found himself collectively challenged as the opponent commenced with deep strategic research, gaining the upper hand early on. On day two, tensions peaked when Nagase played the strong move of ≤7七桂, but Fujii’s deftness saw him shift from defensive strategies to initiating powerful counterattacks after carefully assessing his opponent's gambits.
Interestingly the competitive atmosphere extended far beyond the game. Fans and spectators flocked to the venue, eagerly lining up for unique commemorative items like the “御城印”, depicting both players' names—with limited editions selling out swiftly. Fujii expressed his enthusiasm about fascinating the local audience, stating his hopes of returning their warmth with great play, particularly praising the atmosphere around Kakegawa Castle, noting, “The venue is splendid, and I hope to live up to the local expectations.”
Parallelly, Nagase reflected on his previous experiences at Kakegawa, exclaiming the nostalgic feeling of returning to where his last two-day title match commenced. He declared, “I feel more prepared and ready to face the challenge this time.”
Fujii’s opening strategy remained poised, executed with his trademark composed demeanor; one could hardly miss his ritual of taking his first move after enjoying tea to calm his nerves. Both players capitalized on strategic pauses—if you’d call it— throughout the two days. Post their lunch breaks, during which Fujii preferred his katsu curry made from Kakegawa beef and Nagase opted for simmered hamburger, both relaxed and engaged with the significance of the gameplay.
The second day saw Fujii triumphantly seizing the upper hand during the tense late-game sequence. Despite starting defensively, he pulled off surprise maneuvers, pushing Nagase to the edge as he shifted his positioning from reactive to proactive. The signature moment came at move 90, where Fujii executed △2三角—a decisive strike, leaving the audience gasping at his swiftness.
“It turned out to be quite tough for me, but I sensed I was consolidately inching toward my attacking pattern,” said Fujii after his win, reflecting back on the challenging back-and-forth. Nagase maintained composure post-match, stating, “I didn’t make any major oversight, but the transition to defense was surprising and hard to handle.”
With the first match winded up, fans now set their eyes on the next chapter, scheduled for January 25-26 at Kyoto’s Fushimi-Inari Taisha. The spectators’ fervor felt infectious, encouraging players to not just give their best but to engage with the essence of competitive Shogi. It seems the world of Shogi continues to be enriched by its vibrant audience, strategic depth, and the dynamic narrative it creates each match.