1. Overview
Kazuki Kimura (木村 一基Kimura KazukiJapanese, born June 23, 1973) is a distinguished Japanese professional shogi player who holds the rank of 9-dan. Throughout his extensive career, he has achieved the Ōi title, a testament to his persistent dedication in the world of professional shogi. Kimura is particularly recognized for setting a historic record as the oldest player to secure a major title for the first time, achieving this feat at 46 years and 3 months. His journey exemplifies perseverance, a quality that resonates strongly with the public, earning him the affectionate moniker of "Middle-age star."
2. Early life and shogi apprenticeship
Kazuki Kimura's early life in Chiba Prefecture laid the foundation for his future shogi career, which began with a casual introduction to the game and blossomed into a professional pursuit under the guidance of his mentor, Yūji Sase.
2.1. Birth and childhood
Kazuki Kimura was born on June 23, 1973, in Yotsukaidō, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. His initial encounter with shogi occurred when he was in kindergarten, learning the game at a friend's house. By the time he was a second-grade elementary school student, Kimura began regularly attending a local shogi club, deepening his engagement with the game.
2.2. Entering apprentice school and professional debut
Kimura's path to professionalism began when he played a 2-piece handicap game against Yūji Sase, who would become his mentor. Following this encounter, Kimura started taking lessons at Sase's home, often playing practice games against Hiroe Nakai, another one of Sase's students. In 1985, while in sixth grade, he reached the quarterfinals of the 10th Elementary Student Meijin Tournament. Later that same year, he formally entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school under Sase's tutelage. Although he quickly progressed to 3-dan in the fall of 1990 as an eleventh-grade high school student, it took him more than six years to achieve professional status and the rank of 4-dan, which he finally obtained on April 1, 1997.
3. Professional Shogi Career
Kazuki Kimura's professional shogi career is marked by significant milestones, hard-fought title matches, and numerous awards, reflecting his enduring presence and competitive spirit in the shogi world.
3.1. Career milestones
Kimura's career milestones include achieving a notable number of career wins and steadily climbing the ranks through official promotions.
3.1.1. Promotion history
Kazuki Kimura's official promotion history is as follows:
- 6-kyū: 1985
- 1-dan: 1988
- 4-dan: April 1, 1997
- 5-dan: April 1, 1999
- 6-dan: December 17, 2001
- 7-dan: April 1, 2003
- 8-dan: April 1, 2007
- 9-dan: June 26, 2017
On December 21, 2017, Kimura became the 52nd shogi professional to achieve 600 career wins.
3.2. Major title matches and championships
Kimura has participated in major title matches nine times throughout his career, securing one title. He has also won two non-major championship titles.
In June 2019, Kimura defeated Yoshiharu Habu to earn the right to challenge Masayuki Toyoshima for the 60th Ōi title. In a gripping title match, Kimura lost the initial two games but mounted a remarkable comeback to tie the series at two wins apiece. Although Toyoshima won Game 5, placing him one win away from defending his title, Kimura clinched the final two games, winning the match 4 games to 3. This victory marked not only Kimura's first major title but also established a new record: at 46 years and 3 months, he became the oldest first-time winner of a major title, surpassing the previous record of 37 years and 6 months set by Michio Ariyoshi in 1973.
From June to August 2020, Kimura faced Sōta Fujii in the 61st Ōi title match but was unable to defend his title, losing the series 4 games to none. In September and October 2021, he challenged Takuya Nagase for the 69th Ōza title but was defeated in the match by 3 games to 1.
3.3. Awards and honors
Kazuki Kimura has received multiple accolades throughout his career, including various Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Awards and consistent recognition in prize money rankings.
3.3.1. Japan Shogi Association Awards
Kimura has received the following Annual Shogi Awards from the Japan Shogi Association:
- Best New Player: 1997-1998 (1 time)
- Best Winning Percentage: 1998-1999, 2000-2001 (2 times)
- Most Games Won: 2000-2001 (1 time)
- Most Games Played: 2000-2001 (1 time)
- Fighting-spirit Award: 2008-2009 (1 time)
- Special Award: 2019 (1 time)
- Famous Game Award: (1 time)
3.3.2. Annual prize money and game fee rankings
Kimura has consistently ranked among the "Top 10" in the Japan Shogi Association's year-end prize money and game fee rankings nine times since becoming a professional. His notable performances are listed below:
| Year | Amount | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 22.86 M JPY | 8th |
| 2007 | 23.84 M JPY | 8th |
| 2008 | 29.58 M JPY | 6th |
| 2009 | 29.42 M JPY | 5th |
| 2011 | 20.52 M JPY | 7th |
| 2014 | 16.34 M JPY | 10th |
| 2019 | 32.09 M JPY | 7th |
| 2020 | 23.38 M JPY | 8th |
| 2021 | 22.45 M JPY | 7th |
Note: All amounts are given in Japanese yen and include prize money and fees earned from official tournaments and games held from January 1 to December 31.
4. Legacy and evaluation
Kazuki Kimura's legacy in the shogi world is defined not only by his achievements but also by his distinctive approach to the game and his impactful public persona, particularly his embodiment of perseverance.
4.1. Impact and public image
Kimura's shogi style is often characterized by its "sticky" (粘りnebariJapanese) nature, emphasizing persistence and resilience in his games, a trait he himself has described as the "best approach." This quality, coupled with his late bloom into a major title holder, earned him the popular nickname "Middle-age star" (中年の星Chūnen no HoshiJapanese). This public image highlights his enduring spirit and serves as an inspiration, particularly to those who pursue long-term goals despite challenges. His career trajectory and public persona have contributed to a narrative that champions dedication and the idea that success can be achieved at any age, resonating deeply within the shogi community and beyond.