Hisashi Namekata

Namekata was born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture on December 30, 1973.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/208.html|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 行方尚史|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Namekata Hisashi|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Hisashi Namekata|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=July 19, 2018}} As a sixth-grade elementary school student, he finished third in the 10th {{ill|Elementary Student Meijin Tournament|ja|小学生将棋名人戦}} in 1985.{{cite web|author=|url=http://hobby.nikkei.co.jp/shogi/kaiken/index.cfm?i=20050607s4000s4|script-title=ja:木村一基七段に聞く 粘りは最善の頑張り。｢これからは, すべて勝ちたい」|title=Kimura Kazuki Shichidan ni Kiku Nebari wa Saizen no Gambari. ｢Korekara, Subete Kachitai｣|language=ja|trans-title=According to Kazuki Kimura 7d, never giving up is the best approach, "I want to win all my games from here on."|date=June 8, 2005|website=Nikkei Net|publisher=Nikkei Shimbun|type=Interview|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051121024709/http://hobby.nikkei.co.jp/shogi/kaiken/index.cfm?i=20050607s4000s4|archive-date=November 21, 2005|access-date=November 27, 2017}} After graduating elementary school in 1986, he entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of Yasuharu Ōyama as a twelve year old, and was awarded professional status and the rank of 4-dan on October 1, 1993, at the age of 19.{{cite news|author=|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170415/ddl/k02/040/185000c|script-title=ja:第75期名人戦 行方八段に聞く, 第2局見どころ 20代同士, 自然体の対決|title=Dai Nanajūgoki Meijinsen Namekata Hachidan ni Kiku, Dai Nikyoku Midokoro Nijūdai Kishi, Shizentai no Taiketsu|language=ja|trans-title=Namekata 8d says the key point to Game 2 of the 75th Meijin match will be the natural style of play between two 20-year-olds|date=April 15, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033919/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170415/ddl/k02/040/185000c|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://abematimes.com/posts/3076494|script-title=ja:藤井聡太四段が唯一 ｢カッコイイ｣ と語った男, 行方尚史八段 デビュー直後に快進撃の共通点|title=Fujii Sōta Yondan ga Yuitsu ｢Kakkoii｣ to Katatta Otoko, Namekata Hisashi Hachidan Debyū Chokugo ni Kaishingeki no Kyotsūten|language=ja|trans-title=Called the "coolest professional" by Sōta Fujii 4d, Hisashi Namekata 8d, like Fujii, also had a lot of success after turning professional|date=October 11, 2017|publisher=Abema TV|access-date=November 26, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043558/https://abematimes.com/posts/3076494|url-status=dead}}

In 2015, Namekata finished tied for first with Akira Watanabe, Toshiaki Kubo and Akihito Hirose in the Class A league for the right to challenge to Habu for the 73rd Meijin title. Each player finished league play with 6 wins and 3 losses, so a playoff was held to determine the challenger. A step-ladder playoff system with the player's league seed determining their playoff seed was held.{{cite news|last=Kashiwazaki|first=Kaiichirō|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO83839580S5A300C1000000/|script-title=ja:将棋界の一番長い日 16時間超す死闘, 4者決定戦に|title=Shōgikai no Ichiban Nagai Hi Jūroku jikan Kosu Shitō, Yonsha Ketteisen ni|language=ja|trans-title=Shogi's longest day: More than 16-hour struggle ends with a four player playoff|date=March 2, 2015|newspaper=The Nikkei|access-date=November 21, 2017}} Namaketa needed to only win one game to become the challenger since he was the highest league seed of the four, whereas the two lowest seeds Kubo and Hirose needed to win three games each to become challenger. Kubo beat Hirose and then Watanabe in rounds one and two respectively to face Namekata in the final game of the playoff. Namekata then defeated Kubo to win the playoff.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/junni/2014/73a/index.html|script-title=ja:第73期名人戦･順位戦 A級|title=Dai Nanajūsanki Meijinsen･Jun'isen A kyū|language=ja|trans-title=73rd Meijin Tournament･ Ranking League Class A|year=2015|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 18, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=http://mainichi.jp/feature/news/20150317k0000m040162000c.html|script-title=ja:名人戦: 挑戦者は行方尚史八段　初挑戦|title=Meijinsen: Chōsensha wa Namekata Hisashi Hachidan Hatsuchōsen|language=ja|trans-title=Meijin tournament: Hisashi Namekata 8d is the challenger for the first time|date=March 17, 2015|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317151622/http://mainichi.jp/feature/news/20150317k0000m040162000c.html|archive-date=March 17, 2015|access-date=November 18, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Fujita|first=Masatoshi|url=http://www.sankei.com/life/news/150413/lif1504130010-n1.html|script-title=ja:名人戦　羽生か初登場の行方か|title=Meijinsen Habu ka Hatsu Tōjo no Namekata ka|language=ja|trans-title=Meijin Match: Will the winner be Habu or first time challenger Namekata|date=April 13, 2015|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|access-date=November 18, 2017}} In the title match, Namekata and Habu were tied after two games before Habu won the next three games to defend his title 4 games to 1.{{cite news|last=Fukamatsu|first=Shinji|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASH5Y7VLWH5YUCVL02Z.html|script-title=ja:羽生名人 ｢スローペースの戦いだった」防衛戦から一夜|title=Habu Meijin 'Surōpēsu no Tatakai datta' Bōeisen kara Hitoya|date=May 30, 2015|language=ja|trans-title=Habu Meijin One Night After Defending Title: "The games were all slow paced"|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=November 18, 2017}}

On January 29, 2018, Namekata defeated Yasuaki Murayama in a round 2 preliminary game of the 89th Kisei Tournament to win his 600th official game as a professional.{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.sankei.com/life/news/180129/lif1801290046-n1.html|script-title=ja:行方八段がブロック予選決勝進出 2次予選|title=Namekata Hachidan ga Burokku Yosen Kesshō Shinshutsu Nijiyosen|language=ja|trans-title=Namekata 8d advances to group final of preliminary round 2|date=January 29, 2018|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|access-date=February 2, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2018/01/600_11.html|script-title=ja:行方尚史八段, 600勝(将棋栄誉賞)を達成|title=Namekata Hisashi Hachidan, Roppyakushō (Shōgi Eiyoshō) wo Tasei|language=ja|trans-title=Hisashi Namekata 8d reaches 600 wins (awarded "Shogi Honor Award")|date=January 30, 2018|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=February 2, 2018}}

Namekata's promotion history is as follows:{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/208.html#jsTabE04_02|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 行方尚史 昇段履歴|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Namekata Hisashi Shōdan Rireki|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Hisashi Namekata Promotion History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 17, 2019}}

• 6-kyū: 1986
• 1-dan: 1990
• 4-dan: October 1, 1993
• 5-dan: October 1, 1995
• 6-dan: June 21, 1999
• 7-dan: April 1, 2004
• 8-dan: April 1, 2007
• 9-dan: November 14, 2019

Namekata has been the challenger for a major title twice, but was unsuccessful both times. His first appearance was in 2013 when defeated Yasumitsu Satō to become the challenger to Yoshiharu Habu for the 54th Ōi Match,{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oui/54/hon.html|script-title=ja:第54期王位戦: 挑戦者決定リーグ|title=Dai Gojūyonki Ōisen: Chōsensha Kettei Rīgu|language=ja|trans-title=54th Ōi Tournament: Challenger League|year=2013|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 17, 2017}} but he ended losing to Habu 4 games to 1.{{cite news|author=|url=http://dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp/cont/54oui/2-0002787.html|script-title=ja:羽生王位3連覇 通算15期|title=Habu Ōi Sanrenpa Tsūsan Jūgoki|language=ja|trans-title=Habu Ōi wins title for 3rd consecutive time and 15th time overall|newspaper=Hokkaido Shimbun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090843/http://dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp/cont/54oui/2-0002787.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=November 18, 2017}}

Namekata has won two non-title shogi tournaments. He won the {{ill|14th Quick Play Young Professionals Tournament|ja|早指し将棋選手権#早指し新鋭戦}} tournament for top shogi professionals under the age of 30 for the year 1995 and the {{ill|1st Asahi Cup Open|ja|朝日杯将棋オープン戦}} for the year 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/208.html#anc02|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 行方尚史 優勝履歴|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Namekata Hisashi Yūshō Rireki|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Hisashi Namekata Championship History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.asahi.com/shougi/news/TKY200802090210.html|script-title=ja:行方八段が初代覇者に 第１回朝日杯将棋オープン戦|title=Namekata Hachidan ga Shodai Hasha ni Dai Ikkai Asahi Hai Shōgi Opūnsen|language=ja|trans-title=Namekata 8d wins the First Asahi Cup Open to become the tournament's first champion.|date=February 9, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210114119/http://www.asahi.com/shougi/news/TKY200802090210.html|archive-date=February 10, 2008|access-date=November 20, 2017}}

Namekata was awarded the Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Awards for "Best New Player" in 1995 and "Best Winning Percentage" in 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/208.html#anc03|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 行方尚史 将棋大賞|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Namekata Hisashi Shōgi Taishō|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Hisashi Namekata Annual Shogi Awards|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}

Namekata has finished in the "Top 10" of the JSA's {{ill|year-end prize money/game fee rankings|ja|将棋界#獲得賞金と対局料}} four times since turning professional: ninth in 2008 with JPY 20,680,000 in earnings, seventh in 2013 with JPY 18,210,000 in earnings, sixth in 2014 with JPY 20,900,000 in earnings, and fifth in 2015 with JPY 26,890,000 in earnings.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2009/03/post_87.html|title=Nisenhachinen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2008年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2008 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=March 2, 2009|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2014/02/201310.html|title=Nisenjūsannen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū|script-title=ja:2013年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10|trans-title= 2013 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10|language=ja|date=February 7, 2014|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2015/02/201410.html|title=Nisenjūyonnen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū|script-title=ja:2014年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10|trans-title= 2014 Prize Money/Game Fees Top Jū|language=ja|date=February 3, 2015|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2016/02/201510.html|title=Nisenjūgonen Kakutoku Shōkin･Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū|script-title=ja:2015年獲得賞金･対局料ベスト10|trans-title= 2015 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10|language=ja|date=February 5, 2016|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 20, 2017}}

Namekata was elected to the Japan Shogi Association's board of directors as a non-executive director in June 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2023/06/post_2309.html|script-title=ja:日本将棋連盟新役員のお知らせ|title=Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shiyakuin no Oshirase|language=ja|trans-title=Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members|date=June 9, 2023|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=June 20, 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

• ShogiHub: [http://shogihub.com/players/38 Professional Player Info · Namekata, Hisashi]

{{Professional Shogi Players|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Namekata, Hisashi}}

Category:1973 births

Category:Japanese shogi players

Category:Japan Shogi Association players

Category:Living people

Category:Shogi players from Aomori Prefecture

Category:People from Hirosaki