Shogi champion Fujii kicks off Ryuo title defense Shogi star Fujii aims to defend Ryuo title

The Yomiuri Shimbun Sota Fujii, right, moves a piece during the first match in a best-of-seven series against eighth-dan challenger Akihito Hirose at the 35th Ryuo shogi tournament in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, on Friday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

The battle for the Ryuo title, the most prestigious of all eight major shogi titles, began Friday between 20-year-old defending champion Sota Fujii and eighth-dan challenger Akihito Hirose in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

Both players, wearing traditional Japanese attire, appeared at the Cerulean Tower Noh Theater. The first match in the best-of-seven series of the 35th Ryuo shogi tournament started with Hirose making the first move.