Kenji Imaizumi (今泉 健司, Imaizumi Kenji, born July 3, 1973) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 5-dan.[1]

Kenji Imaizumi
Native name今泉健司
Born (1973-07-03) July 3, 1973 (age 51)
HometownFukuyama, Hiroshima
Career
Achieved professional statusApril 1, 2015(2015-04-01) (aged 41)
Badge Number299
Rank5-dan
TeacherHiroto Kiritani [ja] (7-dan)
Meijin classC2
Ryūō class6
Websites
JSA profile page
Official website

Imaizumi (a former 3-dan professional shogi apprentice) was the first amateur to become a professional player via the Professional Admission Test (プロ編入試験 puro henyū shiken) in 2014.[2][3]

Shogi professional

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Promotion history

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The promotion history for Imaizumi is as follows:[4]

  • 4-dan: April 1, 2015
  • 5-Dan: June 18, 2020

Awards and honors

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Imaizumi received the Japan Shogi Association's Masuda Award for the 2007–2008 shogi season for his idea of playing "R-32" on move one as gote in the opening. He was the first apprentice professional to win the award.[5][6][7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Imaizumi Kenji" 棋士データベース: 今泉健司 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Imaizumi] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  2. ^ "Amachua no Imazumi Kenji-san, Puro Henyūshiken Jūken e" アマチュアの今泉健司さん,プロ編入試験受験へ (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. July 27, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  3. ^ Wada, Chitose (December 8, 2014). 今泉健司さん, プロ棋士に合格「可能性にふたをしないかぎり, 年齢は関係ない」 [Kenji Imaizumi becomes shogi professional: "Age is not a factor as long as the possibility to do so is not taken away"]. The Huffington Post Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  4. ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Imaizumi Kenji Shōdan Rireki" 棋士データベース: 今泉健司 昇段履歴 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Imaizumi Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Imaizumi Kenji Shōgi Taishō" 棋士データベース: 今泉健司 将棋大賞 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Kenji Imaizumi Annual Shogi Awards] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  6. ^ "Dai Sanjūgokai Shōgi Taishō ga Kimaru!" 第35回将棋大賞が決まる! [35th Annual Shogi Awards announced.] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  7. ^ Murakami, Kōji (April 12, 2011). "「Chōsoku San-nana Gin」 Puro ni Shintō Dai Jūnanakai Masudashō ni Hoshino Sandan" 「超速3七銀」 プロに浸透 第17回升田賞に星野三段 [17th Masuda Award given to apprentice professional 3-dan Hoshino for his "Accelerated Silver 37" variation that has quickly become popular among professionals.]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  8. ^ "Kaigoshi kara Puro Kishi e Ima Chūmoku wo Atsumeru Imaizumi Kenji Yondan no Ayumi" 介護士からプロ棋士へ 今注目を集める今泉健司四段の歩み [From healthcare worker to professional shogi player, the path taken by Kenji Imaizumi 4-dan has attracted the attention of others.]. Hominis Media (in Japanese). SKY Perfect JSAT. November 12, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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