Original address: https://www.nihonkiin.or.jp/etc/writer/column20220121.html
Hara: Who is the 22nd Year of Shoryu - The 47th Rookie of the Year Main Tournament
Ki-ji: Nihon Kiin
Author: Kei Shinada
Translation and Collation: Make excuses to be quiet and wild talk
Izuyama Yutagi, Guan Hangtaro Tengen, Xu Jiayuan Ten Duan. In the long history of newcomer Wang Zhan, not only the existing title holders, but also many young chess players have emerged in this tournament. Who will cross the dragon gate in 2022. On the occasion of the opening of the Japan Tournament on January 27th, we invited the 45th rookie Wang Zhan runner-up Sada Tokushi 7th Dan to look forward to this rookie Wang Zhan.
——After watching the list this time, how do you feel?
Tachibana Sada: At a glance, it feels like there are more than 10 people who can win the championship, and the level is really high.
- Malaysian chess player Tsang Fu Kang Er Dan, the first round opponent of last year's runner-up Ayato Ueno Beauty Ryujin.
Tachibana Sada: Tsang Fukyoyasu defeated Fujisawa's ronin in the preliminaries to enter the tournament. Then in the first round of this tournament, I will face Aimi Ueno, and it is difficult for me to say whether this signing is good or not (laughs).
- Defeated Fujisawa's ronin, but Ueno Aiko's beauty Ryugi is also a fierce rival.
Tachibana Sada: Everyone is very strong, so they are all fierce enemies. However, as the runner-up of the previous issue, I still support the previous runner-up, Aimi Ueno (laughs). Hopefully she can do what I didn't do and create better results than runners-up.
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Tachibana Sada: Speaking of Wakasa, we can't forget that in the final, we lost to Nishi Kenshino Godan, Aimi Ueno. Like him, I belong to the Kansai Chess Academy, so I am also very optimistic about him. He also enjoys research and has a high level of technology.
- Is it also possible for Nishi Kenshin to win the championship?
Tachibana Sada: Yes, at least technically, it is the best among these players. The only thing he was worried about was that his mentality was poor. But I'm very supportive of him (laughs).
—— Who else is more optimistic?
Tachibana Sada: That's too much. It's hard for me to choose who is among them. In the previous period, Koyama Kuya, who entered the top 4, was also a five-dan, Koike Yoshihiro's seven-dan, and Yao Zhiteng's six-dan are all annual favorites to win the championship. There is also a large bamboo yoroku in the central region, which is also one of the favorites to win the championship. In addition, there is the Fukuoka Hangtaro sandan, who ranks second in the winning percentage in 2021, and the nakaetsu nishidan, who ranks third in the number of wins, and we can't underestimate them.
——In the first round, Otake Yurokudan played against Fukuoka Hangtaro Sandan.
Tachibana Sada: It's true, it's also a feasting matchup, and I care about who of them wins. If Otake yu advances to the final, it is possible that the first champion of the Chubu General Headquarters will be born, so we can also pay attention to this aspect.
——It is still surprising that the Central General Headquarters has not yet won the title of Newcomer King.
Sada Takashi: Naoki Hagen Nine Dan, ItaChi Tatsushi Eight Duan, Shida Tatsuya Eight Duan, Rokuura Yuta Seven Duan... There are so many powerful chess players, but none of them have ever won the rookie king, which is very surprising.
——This time, many female chess players are also a big attraction.
Tachibana Sada: Exactly, 8 people, about a quarter of them are women. And then they're all strong. Ueno Aisaki Beauty Ryuki Isaac, as well as Ushi eiko 4-dan, Kato Chiku 2-dan, Nakai Tsuyoshi 2-dan and others, they are also very likely to enter the top 4.
—— Just now you also mentioned the top four thing, can you predict the players who will enter the top four this time?
Tachibana Sada: First of all, Nishi Ken shin godan, and you can't ignore the players of the Kansai Chess Academy. (Laughs) There was also the last runner-up, Aiko Ueno, the beauty of Ryuki. As well as the winners of Otake Yu Rokudan and Fukuoka Aktaro 3dan, these two people I am very troubled, but I personally have a good relationship with Otake Yu, and I still want to support Otake Yu in my mood. [Laughs]
- What about the other one?
Tachibana Sada: How to tell you, there is actually a chess player who makes me pay a lot of attention to him.
- Who is it?
Tachibana Sada: It is Sakai Yusuke Sandan. His calculations are strong, and if it is a combat situation he should be second to none. However, his weakness is that he cannot play to his strengths if he is prevented by his opponents, but recently he has achieved certain results through AI, and it is said that this weakness has also been overcome. This time he is likely to stop at this point.
- Then Sada's final four predictions are: Nishi Ken Shin Godan, Ueno Aiko Beauty Ryuki, Otake Yurodan, and Sakai Yusei Sandan.
Takashi Sada: Yes, just write it (laughs).