Tomomi Kai (甲斐 智美, Kai Tomomi, born May 30, 1983) is a retired Japanese women's professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 5-dan.[1] She is a former Women's Ōi [ja], Kurashiki Tōka Cup [ja], and Jo-Ō [ja] title holder.

Tomomi Kai
Native name甲斐智美
Born (1983-05-30) May 30, 1983 (age 41)
HometownNanao, Ishikawa
Career
Achieved professional statusApril 1, 1997(1997-04-01) (aged 13)
Badge NumberW-21
RankWomen's 5-dan
RetiredJuly 3, 2023(2023-07-03) (aged 40)
TeacherMakoto Nakahara (16th Lifetime Meijin)
Major titles won7
Tournaments won2
Career record360–221 (.620)
Websites
JSA profile page

Apprentice professional

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In September 1998, Kai took a leave of absence from women's professional shogi to enter the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū. She remained in the apprentice school until August 2003 when she expressed her intention to return to women's professional play. She was awarded the rank of women's professional 1-dan upon reinstatement.[2]

Women's shogi professional

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Promotion history

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Kai has been promoted as follows.[3]

  • 2-kyū: April 1, 1997
  • 1-kyū: April 1, 1998
  • 1-dan: September 1, 2003
  • 2-dan: September 18, 2006
  • 3-dan: April 19, 2010
  • 4-dan: June 29, 2011
  • 5-dan: November 23, 2014

Note: All ranks are women's professional ranks.

Titles and other championships

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Kai has appeared in major title matches 14 times and has won a total of 7 titles. She has won the Women's Ōi [ja] title four times (2010–11, 2013–14), the Kurashiki Tōka Cup [ja] title twice (2013–14), and the Jo-Ō [ja] title once (2010).[4] In addition to major titles, Kai has won two other shogi championships: the 11th Women's Kashima Cup Shogi Tournament [ja] in 2006 and the 1st Daiwa Securities Cup Women's Internet Tournament [ja] in 2007.[5]

Awards and honors

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Kai has received the following Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Awards: "Women's Professional Award" in 2010 and 2013, and "Women's Professional of the Year" in 2014.[6]

Retirement

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The Japan Shogi Association announced on March 7, 2023, on its official website that Kai was going to retire from women's professional shogi for personal reasons once she completed her current schedule of official games.[7] Kai's retirement became official on July 3, 2023.[8] Kai finished her career with a record of 360 wins and 221 losses for a winning percentage of 62 percent.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Kai Tomomi" 女流棋士データベース: 甲斐智美 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomomi Kai] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Kai Tomomi ga Joryū Shodan de Fukki" 甲斐智美が女流初段で復帰 [Tomoi Kai returns as women's 1-dan] (in Japanese). August 2003. Archived from the original on October 5, 2003. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Kai Tomomi Shōdan Rireki" 女流棋士データベース: 甲斐智美 昇段履歴 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomomi Kai Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  4. ^ "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Kai Tomomi Taitoru Rireki" 女流棋士データベース: 甲斐智美 タイトル履歴 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomomi Kai Major Title History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  5. ^ "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Kai Tomomi Yūshō Rireki" 女流棋士データベース: 甲斐智美 優勝履歴 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomomi Kai Championship History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  6. ^ "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Kai Tomomi Shōgi Taishō" 女流棋士データベース: 甲斐智美 将棋大賞 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomomi Kai Annual Shogi Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "Kai Tomomi Joryū Godan Intai no Oshirase" 甲斐智美女流五段引退のお知らせ [Tomomi Kai women's professional 5-dan announces retirement] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. March 7, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "Kai Tomomi Joryū Godan ga Intai" 甲斐智美女流五段が引退 [Tomomi Kai women's professional 5-dan retires] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Seto, Kanon (July 3, 2023). "Kai Tomomi Joryū Godan Geneki Intai Saigo no Taikyoku Oeru 「Ima ga Intaisuru Taimingu to Jibun no Naka de wa Kakushin」" 甲斐智美女流五段現役引退 最後の対局終える 「今が引退するタイミングと自分の中では確信」 [Tomomi Kai women's professional 5-dan officially retires after final game. She says that she "believes now is the right time to retire".]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved July 11, 2023.
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