(Japanese Translation below)

It is believed that Shogi originated in Chatranga, India. However, no one knows when Shogi came to Japan. In Shogi, the players battle one on one, aiming to capture their opponent’s King.

They have the same 20 pieces: one king, one rook, one bishop, two gold generals, two silver generals, two knights, two lances, and nine pawns. The abilities of the pieces are different and players are given a limited time to move their pieces in turns.

The Appearance of AI

It is said that the development of computer Shogi began around 1970 and the first computer to be able to play the game was around that time. In those days, half of the professional players said that in the near future AI would win. From 2012 to 2017 there were six tournaments called Denosen where the top players went against computers in the final match. However, the top players were defeated five out of six times.

About The Industry

There are eight different titles in Shogi and professional players try to win the tournament and the prize money, which can be up to ￥42 million. Besides professional male players, there are also a limited number of female professional players and six different titles for women. There are strong and famous professional players such as Yoshiharu Habu and Amahiko Sato. They are often featured on TV shows.

将棋の世界

佐藤　令一

将棋とは何か

将棋はインドのチャトランガというゲームが起源と言われていますが、いつ伝来したのかについては分かっていません。将棋は、１対１で互いの王を狙うゲームです。互いの駒は、王将が１枚、飛車が１枚、角行が１枚、金将が２枚、銀将が２枚、桂馬が２枚、香車が２枚、歩兵が９枚の２０枚となります。それぞれの駒の役割は異なり、プレイヤーは一定の時間内に交互に駒を動かします。

AIの登場

コンピューター将棋の開発が始まったのは１９７０年代で、これが完成したのは、およそ同時期とされています。当時、プロ棋士の半数は、近い将来にAIが彼らに勝つことを予想していました。２０１２年から２０１７年にかけて、プロ棋士がAIと対局する電王戦と呼ばれる大会が６度ほどありましたが、プロ棋士は５回敗北しています。

将棋界について

将棋界には８つの異なるタイトルが存在し、プロ棋士はトーナメントに勝つことでこれらのタイトルや、最大4,200万円まである賞金を獲得します。更に、女性限定のプロ棋士というものがあり、こちらには６つのタイトルが存在します。将棋界には羽生善治や佐藤天彦といったような、強く、かつ有名な棋士がおり、テレビにも取り上げられています。

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