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Yasuharu Ōyama
New Shogi Champion Yasuharu Oyama 1952 Scan10007.JPG
Oyama after winning the Meijin title for the first time in 1952.
Native name 大山康晴
Born (1923-03-13)March 13, 1923
Hometown Kurashiki, Okayama
Nationality Japanese
Died July 26, 1992(1992-07-26) (aged 69)
Career
Achieved professional status January 1, 1940(1940-01-01) (aged 16)
Badge Number 26
Rank 9 dan
Teacher Kinjiro Kimi [ja] (9 dan)
Lifetime titles
  • Lifetime Meijin
  • Lifetime Tenth Dan
  • Lifetime Kisei
  • Lifetime Oi
  • Lifetime Osho
Major titles won 80
Tournaments won 44
Career record 1433–781 (.647)
Notable students
  • Michio Ariyoshi
  • Isao Nakata
  • Hisashi Namekata
Websites
JSA profile page

Yasuharu Ōyama (born March 13, 1923 – died July 26, 1992) was a famous professional shogi player from Japan. Shogi is a Japanese board game similar to chess. Ōyama is known as one of the greatest shogi players ever. He was also the president of the Japan Shogi Association from 1976 to 1989.

Ōyama learned shogi from Kinjiro Kimi, who was also a very skilled player. Throughout his career, Ōyama won an amazing 80 titles, which is the second-highest number ever recorded. He also won 44 other tournaments and played 1433 games, winning most of them.

Shogi Legend: Yasuharu Ōyama

Yasuharu Ōyama became a professional shogi player in 1940. He continued to play professionally until he passed away in 1992. He was known for his incredible skill and long career.

His Amazing Shogi Career

Ōyama earned five special "Lifetime" titles, which are given to players who win a specific title many times. These include Lifetime Meijin, Lifetime Jūdan, Lifetime Ōi, Lifetime Kisei, and Lifetime Ōshō.

The Meijin title is one of the most important and respected titles in shogi. Ōyama won the Meijin title 18 times! This is more than any other player in history. He also holds the record for winning the Meijin title 13 times in a row, from 1959 to 1971. He even challenged for the Meijin title when he was 63 years old, showing his lasting dedication to the game.

Beyond the Shogi Board

Ōyama was not only interested in shogi. He also enjoyed playing other board games. These included Go, mahjong, chess, and xiangqi. Xiangqi is a Chinese board game, also similar to chess.

In 1973, Ōyama helped start the Japan Xiangqi Association. He served as its president, helping to promote the game in Japan. He also taught shogi to many students, including Michio Ariyoshi, Isao Nakata, and Hisashi Namekata, who became professional players themselves.

Ōyama was born in Kurashiki, Okayama, and was later made an honorary citizen of his hometown. He was also recognized in Hyakkoku, Aomori.

Awards and Recognition

Yasuharu Ōyama received many important awards for his achievements. These awards recognized his contributions to shogi and Japanese culture.

  • Medal with Purple Ribbon (1979)
  • Kikuchi Kan Prize (1987)
  • Person of Cultural Merit (1990)
  • Order of the Sacred Treasure, 2nd class, Gold and Silver Star (1992)
  • Senior Fourth Rank (1992)

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