2026 Shogi Japan Series JT Pro Official Match / TableMark Children's Tournament Outline Decided!

The outline for this year's "Shogi Japan Series" has been decided. This tournament will feature the "JT Pro Official Match," now in its 47th year, and the "TableMark Children's Tournament," in its 25th year, held on the same day. It will take place over approximately six months, from the Tohoku tournament on Saturday, June 27, to the Kanto tournament on Sunday, November 29, across 11 regions nationwide. The "JT Pro Official Match" will feature a public tournament with top professional Shogi players, while the "TableMark Children's Tournament" will see fierce competition among elementary school children. We aim to create a tournament where all Shogi fans, from adults to children, can enjoy "Shogi as they like, as much as they like," and this year we have prepared various innovative contents. The official tournament characters, "Anaguma-t & Anaguma-f," which debuted last year, will also join everyone at the venue to liven up the Shogi Japan Series.

■ Full of must-see information! Shogi Japan Series Official Tournament Website

The official website for the "Shogi Japan Series" offers valuable information that can only be found there, including applications for viewing and participation, tournament information, profiles and interview videos of participating players, and match videos from the "JT Pro Official Match." Official Tournament Website: https://www.jti.co.jp/culture/shogi/index.html

■ Experience the tension and excitement of 12 top professional players in public matches! "JT Pro Official Match" (hereinafter "JT Cup")

The participating players are a豪華 lineup of 12 top-ranked players from the 2025 prize money rankings, including last year's winner Sota Fujii JT Cup holder and Takumi Ito Eio/Oza, as well as 5 first-time participants: Seiya Kondo 8-dan, Yasuhiro Masuda 8-dan, Naohiro Ishida 6-dan, Hiroya Yashiro 8-dan, and Shinichiro Hattori 7-dan. Please come and experience the public matches where you can feel the tension in the silence and the excitement of both players and spectators up close. Furthermore, a characteristic of this tournament is its super-fast play with a time limit of 10 minutes, allowing for thrilling developments unlike other tournaments. Another feature of this tournament is the opportunity for interaction with the players, as the winning player sees off the audience after the match. For those who cannot attend the venue, you can enjoy the live broadcast on "ABEMA," the new future TV.

■ "JT Cup" Participating Players and Tournament Bracket

Last year's winner Sota Fujii JT Cup holder, Takumi Ito Eio/Oza, Takuya Nagase 9-dan, and Yuki Sasaki 8-dan receive a bye in the first round. How will the 5 first-time participants challenge the fast-paced public matches? The passionate battles by top professional players begin again this year.

*Titles and ranks are as of May 1, 2026.

■ We also share behind-the-scenes! "JT Cup" Official X

The "JT Cup" Official X will share updates on participating players, commentators, readers, and interviewers. It's full of behind-the-scenes information, such as videos of players signing and their activities during sealed move breaks. Please check it out. "JT Cup" Official X: https://x.com/jt_shogi

■ "TableMark Children's Tournament" (hereinafter "Children's Tournament") where you can choose a course according to your Shogi skill

We offer two courses tailored to Shogi skill and experience. The "Udedameshi Course" allows children to demonstrate their daily practice results and advance to the tournament if they win 3 matches, while the "Enjoy Course" is for children who are not confident in their Shogi skills or are participating for the first time. Even if you lose in the "Udedameshi Match," you can switch to the "Enjoy Match" and play Shogi with many friends. Depending on the number of matches played and wins/losses, popular "Shogi piece-shaped erasers" will be presented. In addition to matches, classic tournament contents such as instructional matches and Tsume Shogi quizzes, a new "Anaguma Omikuji" (badger fortune slip) will appear. You might find out your luck for the tournament day! It's an event that families, from children to adults, can enjoy all day long.

■ "Children's Tournament" LINE Official Account is recruiting friends!

Easily check tournament information and application guides!

"LINE Touch" will be installed at the venue. You can easily add friends by simply holding your smartphone over it.

Account Name: Shogi Japan Series TableMark Children's Tournament

ID: @shoginihonseries_t

■ "JT Cup" Tohoku Tournament "Children's Tournament" participation applications start today (May 1)

Along with applications for viewing the "JT Cup" Tohoku Tournament, participation applications for the "Children's Tournament" Tohoku Tournament (held on June 27), Shikoku Tournament (held on July 11), and Shizuoka Tournament (held on July 25) will begin today. The "JT Cup" will be by advance application lottery, and the "Children's Tournament" will be by advance application on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check the official tournament website for application dates for other venues and other details.

*Titles and ranks are as of May 1, 2026.

■ Japan Shogi Association Chairman