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Hifumi Katō

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Hifumi Katō
Native name加藤一二三
Born (1940-01-01) January 1, 1940 (age 84)
HometownKama, Fukuoka
NationalityJapanese
Career
Achieved professional statusAugust 1, 1954(1954-08-01) (aged 14)
Badge Number64
Rank9 dan
RetiredJune 20, 2017 (62 years)
TeacherShōji Kenmochi [ja]
Major titles won8
Tournaments won23
Websites
JSA profile page

Hifumi Katō (加藤 一二三, Katō Hifumi, born January 1, 1940) is a retired Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan.[1]

He is a former Meijin and Tenth Dan.

He has the nicknames 123 and ひふみん Hifumin given by his fans.[2]

Katō had the record for the youngest professional player who went pro at 14 years and 7 months old until Sōta Fujii became professional in 2016 at age 14 years and 2 months.

Playing style

Katō is known for playing aggressive Climbing Silver strategies. He received a Masuda Special Award in 2017 for his innovations to this strategy over his career.[3]

Katō's Double Yagura
☖ pieces in hand:
987654321 
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☗ pieces in hand:

Additionally, the Katō variation (加藤流 katō-ryū) of the Double Yagura opening is named after him.

Honours and awards

Katō is a Catholic, and he was made a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by Pope John Paul II in 1986.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Kishi Dētabēsu: Katō Hifumi" 棋士データベース: 加藤一二三 [Professional Shogi Player Database: Hifumi Katō] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  2. ^ "Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii known for fiery competitive spirit since kindergarten". Japan Times. Kyodo News. June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018. In his debut match as a pro in December, Fujii defeated Kato, who is one of the most famous players in the nation, known as "Hifumin" by his fans.
  3. ^ "Announcement of the 44th Shogi Grand Prize Winners". March 31, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  4. ^ Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Jō] A-Ta Gyō 現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [上] あ-た [2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [First volume] Letter "A" to Letter "Ta"] (in Japanese). MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association. 2015. p. 31. Retrieved March 1, 2018 – via Google Books.