Yasumitsu Satō

{{short description|Japanese shogi player (born 1969)}}

{{Infobox shogi professional

| name = Yasumitsu Satō

| native_name = 佐藤 康光

| image =File:SHOGI Proffesional Yasumitsu Satoh.jpg

| caption = Satō at an October 2015 event.

| born = {{birth date and age|1969|10|01|mf=yes}}

| hometown = Yawata, Kyoto

| nationality =

| pro_date = {{event date and age|1987|03|25|1969|10|01}}

| badge_no = 182

| teacher = {{ill | Kaishū Tanaka|ja| 田中魁秀}}

| lifetime_titles = Lifetime Kisei

| rank = 9 dan

| no_titles = 13

| tournaments = 12

| meijinclass = B1

| ryuoclass = 1

| jsa = 182

}}

{{nihongo|Yasumitsu Satō|佐藤 康光|Satō Yasumitsu | born October 1, 1969}} is a Japanese professional shogi player from Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, ranked 9-dan. He is a former president of the Japan Shogi Association as well as former holder of the Ryūō, Meijin, Oshō, Kisei, Kiō major titles. He has qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title.

Early life, amateur shogi and apprentice professional

Satō was born in Yawata City in Kyoto Prefecture on October 1, 1969.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 4, 2017}} He finished third in the 6th {{ill|Elementary Student Meijin Tournament|ja|小学生将棋名人戦}} in 1981.{{cite web|url=http://joshi-shogi.com/event/10th_aomori.html#more|script-title=ja:第10回記念青森県将棋まつり|title=Dai Jikkai Kinen Aomori-ken Shōgi Matsuri|language=ja|trans-title=10th Aomori Prefecture Shogi Festival|date=September 21, 2008|publisher=Ladies Shogi Professional-players Association|quote=写真キャプション: 1981年の小学生名人戦, 佐藤棋王は3位, 準優勝は中井現女流六段という話題に [Photo caption: The converstation turned to the 1981 Elementary Student Meijin Tournament where Satō Kiō finished third and Nakai Female Professional 6d finished second]|access-date=November 8, 2017}} His experience in the tournament led him to want become a shogi professional, and he entered the Kansai branch of the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū in December 1982 as a protegee of shogi professional {{ill|Kaishū Tanaka|ja|田中魁秀}} in December 1982.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoIRCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA56|script-title=ja:現役プロ棋士データブック2016 [上] あ-た|title=Geneki Purō Kishi DētaBukku 2016 [Jō] A-Ta Gyō|language=ja|trans-title=2016 Active Shogi Professional Databook [First volume] Letter "A" to Letter "Ta"|page=56|year=2015|publisher=MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association|via=Google Books|access-date=November 8, 2017}}

Shogi professional

Satō's first appearance a major title match was in 1990 as the challenger to Kōji Tanigawa for the 31st Ōi title, but he lost the match 4 games to 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oui/#aswift_0_anchor|script-title=ja:王位戦: 過去の結果|title=Ōisen: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Ōi tournament: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 4, 2017}} That same year, he won his first tournament as a professional when he defeated Toshiyuki Moriuchi to win the {{ill|9th Hayazashi Shinei Tournament|ja|早指し将棋選手権#早指し新鋭戦}}, a quick-play type tournament for young players under the age of thirty. He repeated as champion the following year when he won the 10th Hayazashi Shinei Tournament when he defeated Taku Morishita in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/finished/12/|script-title=ja:早指し将棋選手権戦・早指し新鋭戦|title=Hayazahi Shōgi Senshukensen・Hayazashi Shineisen|language=ja|trans-title=Quick-play Shogi Tournament・Quick-play Young Professional Tournament|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 4, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/finished/12/rekidai.html|script-title=ja:早指し将棋選手権戦・早指し新鋭戦: 歴代優勝者一覧|title=Hayazahi Shōgi Senshukensen・Hayazashi Shineisen: Rekidai Yūshōsha Ichiran|language=ja|trans-title=Quick-play Shogi Tournament・Quick-play Young Professional Tournament: Winners list|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

In 1993, Satō challenged Yoshiharu Habu for the 6th Ryūō title and won the match 4 games to 2 for his first major title. The same two players met in the title matches for the 7th Ryūō (1994) and 8th Ryūō (1995). Challenger Habu was able to recapture his title by the score of 4 games to 2 in 1994 and then defend it by the same score in 1995.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/ryuuou|script-title=ja:竜王戦: 過去の結果|title=Ryūōsen: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Ryūō tournament: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

In 1997, Satō challenged Habu for the 38th Ōi title Habu, but lost the match by the score of 4 games to 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oui|script-title=ja:王位戦: 過去の結果|title=Ōisen: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Ōi tournament: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 6, 2017}} The two met once again the following year for the 39th Ōi title, but Habu defended his title by the score 4 games to 2. That same year, Satō was the challenger to Habu for the 24th Kiō title, but lost the match 3 games to 0.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/kiou/|script-title=ja:棋王戦: 過去の結果|title=Kiō: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Kiō tournament: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 6, 2017}} Satō once again challenged Habu for the Kiō title in 2001. Satō won the first game of the 27th Kiō match, but Habu then won the next three games to defend his title.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/kiou/27hon/index.html|script-title=ja:第27期棋王戦 挑戦者決定トーナメント / 五番勝負|title=Dai Nijūnanaki Kiōsen Chōsensha Kettei Tōnamento/Goban Shōbu|language=ja|trans-title=27th Kiō Tournament: Challenger Tournament/5-game Match|year=2001|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 6, 2017}}

In just his second year in Meijin Class A, Satō earned the right to challenge Tanigawa for the 56th Meijin title (1998) by defeating Habu in a one-game playoff after both players finished league play with a record of 6 wins and 3 losses.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RyaABAAAQBAJ&pg=614|script-title=ja:将棋順位戦30年史 1984-1997年編|title=Shōgi Jun'isen Sanjūnenshi 1984-1997nenhen|language=ja|trans-title=30 Year History of Meijin League Play: Years 1984-1997|year=2014|page=614|publisher=MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association|isbn=978-4-8399-5306-5|via=Google Books|access-date=December 4, 2017}} Satō then proceeded to defeat Tanigawa 4 games to 3 to win the Meijin title for the first time. The following year, Satō and Tanigawa met again for the 57th Meijin title (1999), with Satō defending his title by the score of 4 games to 3. Satō, however, was unable to successfully defend his title for the third consecutive year when he lost to Tadahisa Maruyama 4 games to 3 in the 58th Meijin title match (200).{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/junni/#jo_tab|script-title=ja:名人戦・順位戦: 過去の結果|title=Meijinsen・Jun'isen: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Meijin Match・Meijin League Play: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

Satō was the challenger in the 47th Ōshō (1997) and 49th Ōshō (1999) title matches against Habu, but lost by the scores of 4 games to 1 and 4 games to 0, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oushou|script-title=ja:王将戦: 過去の結果|title=Ōshōsen: Kako no Kekka|language=ja|trans-title=Ōshō Tournament: Past results|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 5, 2017}} In 2002, Satō finished the 51st Ōshō challenger league play undefeated with six wins to once again challenge to Habu for the title. Sato won the first two games of the match and then split the next four to win the match 4 games to 2,{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oushou/51/hon.html|script-title=ja:第51期王将戦 七番勝負・挑戦者決定リーグ戦|title=Dai Gojūikki Ōshōsen・Nanaban Shōbu・Chōsensha Kettei Rīgusen|language=ja|trans-title=51st Ōshō 7-game Match・Challenger League Play|year=2001|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 5, 2017}}{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/national/life_topic/20020312000443|script-title=ja:佐藤が羽生から王将位奪取 / 将棋の王将戦第6局|title=Satō ga Habu kara Ōshōi Dasshu / Shōgi no Ōshōsen Dai Rokkyoku|language=ja|trans-title=Satō takes Ōshō title from Habu / Shogi Ōshō match Game 6|date=March 12, 2002|newspaper=Shikoku Shimbun|access-date=December 5, 2017}} thus ending his title match losing streak to Habu at eight. The following year, however, Habu was successful in retaking the title from Satō, winning the 52nd Ōshō match 4 games to 0.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/match/oushou/52/hon.html|script-title=ja:第52期王将戦 七番勝負・挑戦者決定リーグ戦|title=Dai Gojūniki Ōshōsen・Nanaban Shōbu・Chōsensha Kettei Rīgusen|language=ja|trans-title=52nd Ōshō 7-game Match・Challenger League Play|year=2002|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 5, 2017}} Satō and Habu met again in 55th Ōshō (2006) and 56th Ōshō (2007) title matches with Habu defending his title each time by the score of 4 games to 3.{{cite web|url=https://www.igoshogi.net/topics/detail.php?ID=421|script-title=ja:第55期王将戦...羽生王将, 防衛|title=Dai Gojūgoki Ōshō ... Habu Ōshō, Bōei|language=ja|trans-title=55th Ōshō Match ... Habu Ōishō defends title|date=March 23, 2006|publisher=Igo & Shogi Channel|access-date=December 5, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.igoshogi.net/topics/detail.php?ID=524|script-title=ja:第56期王将戦...羽生王将の防衛|title=Dai Gojūgoki Ōshō ... Habu Ōshō no Bōei|language=ja|trans-title=56th Ōshō Match ... Habu Ōishō defends title|date=March 22, 2007|publisher=Igo & Shogi Channel|access-date=December 5, 2017}}

In 2007, Satō defeated Toshiyuki Moriuchi (the reigning Meijin at the time) to win the 56th NHK Cup Shogi TV tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.igoshogi.net/topics/detail.php?ID=522&is=1|script-title=ja:第56回NHK杯将棋T...藤棋聖の優勝|title=Dai Gojūrokkai NHKhai Shōgi T ... Satō Kisei no Yūshō|language=ja|trans-title=Sato Kisei Wins 56th NHK Cup|date=March 19, 2007|publisher=Igo & Shogi Channel|access-date=November 7, 2017}} He defeated Daisuke Suzuki the following year to defend his title and become just the third player ever to win the tournament in consecutive years, with the championship game between the two being the first NHK shogi tournament game ever to be broadcast live on TV.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYbrCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA372|script-title=ja:将棋タイトル戦30年史 1998~2013年編|title=Shōgi Taitorusen Sanjūnenshi 1998-2013nenhen|language=ja|trans-title=30 Year History of Shogi Major Title Matches: Years 1998-2013|year=2014|publisher=MyNabi Publishing/Japan Shogi Association|page=372|isbn=978-4-8399-5097-2|via=Google Books|access-date=November 7, 2017}} Satō won the tournament for a third time in 2017.{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S12868596.html|script-title=ja:佐藤九段が優勝 将棋・NHK杯|title=Satō Kudan ga Yūshō, Shogi・NHKhai|language=ja|trans-title=Sato 9d Wins Shogi NHK Cup|date=March 30, 2017|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=November 7, 2017}}

Satō became the ninth professional player to record 1000 victories in official games when he defeated Akihito Hirose in a Meijin Class A game on July 28, 2017. Satō is the first player to accomplish such a feat since Habu did so in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2017/07/1000_3.html|script-title=ja:佐藤康光九段, 1000勝(特別将棋栄誉賞)を達成!|title=Satō Yasumitsu Kudan, Senshō (Tokubetsu Shōgi Eiyoshō) wo Tassei!|language=ja|trans-title=Yasumitsu Satō Wins 1000 Official Game (Special Shogi Honor Award)|date=July 29, 2017|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 7, 2017}}{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170729/k00/00m/040/157000c|script-title=ja:佐藤康光九段が1000勝達成, 史上9人目|title=Satō Yasumitsu Kudan ga Senshō Tassei, Shijō Kyūninme|language=ja|trans-title=Yasumitsu Sato 9d Becomes 9th Player to Reach 1000 Wins|date=July 29, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=November 7, 2017}}

= Playing style =

{{BLP unsourced section|date=August 2018}}

He was known to use a lot of jōseki positions as a young player, but since 2005 he has often opted for choosing to play creatively with the standard strategies. His new move 5. P-96 for Cheerful Central Rook has been widely adopted by many professional players. From a young age he has been known for the depth of his reading, which is called his "minute" or "meticulous" style, and of which is said that he can "read a billion of three-move series in a second".

=Promotion history=

The promotion history of Satō is as follows:{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html#jsTabE04_02|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光 昇段履歴|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu Shōdan Rireki|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō Promotion History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 18, 2017}}

  • 6-kyū: December 1982
  • 1-dan: July 1984
  • 4-dan: May 25, 1987
  • 5-dan: April 1, 1989
  • 6-dan: May 25, 1992
  • 7-dan: October 1, 1993
  • 8-dan: April 1, 1996
  • 9-dan: June 18, 1998

=Titles and other championships=

Satō has appeared in major title matches a total of 37 times. He has won the Kisei title six times and has qualified for the Lifetime Kisei title.{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/faq/index.html#kisen|script-title=ja:永世称号の規定はどうなっているのでしょうか。|title=Eisei Shōgō no Kitei wa Dō Natteriru Deshōka.|trans-title=What are the requirements for lifetime titles?|language=ja|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109172825/http://www.shogi.or.jp/faq/index.html|archive-date=January 9, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2017}} He has also won the Meijin, Kiō and Ōshō titles twice each and the Ryūō title once.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html#anc01|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光 タイトル履歴|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu Taitoru Rireki|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō Major Title History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 19, 2017}} In addition to major titles, Satō has won twelve other shogi championships during his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html#anc02|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光 優勝履歴|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu Yūshō Rireki|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō Championship History|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 19, 2017}}

==Major titles==

class="wikitable"

!Title

YearsNumber of times overall
Ryūō

| 1993

| 1

Meijin

| 1998–99

| 2

Kisei

| 2002-07

| 6

Kiō

| 2006–07

| 2

Ōshō

| 2001, 2011

| 2

==Other championships==

class="wikitable"

!Tournament

YearsNumber of times
*{{ill|Daiwa Securities Strongest Player Cup|ja|大和証券杯ネット将棋・最強戦}}

|2012

|1

{{ill|Ginga-sen|ja|銀河戦}}

| 2003, 2008, 2010

|3

NHK Cup

| 2006–07, 2016

|3

*{{ill|Hayazashi Shineisen|ja|早指し将棋選手権#早指し新鋭戦}}

|1990-91

|2

{{ill|JT Nihon Series|ja|JT将棋日本シリーズ}}

| 2004, 2006

|2

*{{ill|All Star Kachinuki-sen|ja|オールスター勝ち抜き戦}}

|1999

|1

Note: Tournaments marked with an asterisk (*) are no longer held.

=Awards and honors=

Satō has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career for his accomplishments in both on an off the shogi board. These include the Annual Shogi Awards given out by the JSA for performance in official games and other awards given out by governmental organizations, etc. for contributions made to Japanese society.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html#anc03|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光 将棋大賞|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu Shōgi Taishō|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō Annual Shogi Awards|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 19, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/player/pro/182.html#anc04|script-title=ja:棋士データベース: 佐藤康光 その他表彰|title=Kishi Dētabēsu: Satō Yasumitsu Sonota Hyōshō|language=ja|trans-title=Professional Shogi Player Database: Yasumitsu Satō Other Awards|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 19, 2017}}

==Annual Shogi Awards==

  • 18th Annual Awards (April 1990 - March 1991): Best New Player
  • 20th Annual Awards (April 1992 - March 1993): Technique Award
  • 21st Annual Awards (April 1993 - March 1994): Most Games Won, Most Games Played, Most Consecutive Games Won, Distinguished Service Award
  • 23rd Annual Awards (April 1995 - March 1996): Technique Award
  • 25th Annual Awards (April 1997 - March 1998): Technique Award
  • 26th Annual Awards (April 1998 - March 1999): Distinguished Service Award
  • 29th Annual Awards (April 2001 - March 2002): Most Consecutive Games Won, Technique Award
  • 30th Annual Awards (April 2002 - March 2003): Fighting-spirit Award
  • 32nd Annual Awards (April 2004 - March 2005): Technique Award
  • 33rd Annual Awards (April 2005 - March 2006): Fighting-spirit Award
  • 34th Annual Awards (April 2006 - March 2007): Player of the Year, Most Games Played, Most Games Won, Kōzō Masuda Award
  • 35th Annual Awards (April 2007 - March 2008): Player of the Year
  • 37th Annual Awards (April 2009 - March 2010): Game of the Year
  • 39th Annual Awards (April 2011 - March 2012): Kōzō Masuda Award{{cite news|last=Morita|first=Keishi|url=http://www.sankei.com/life/news/170720/lif1707200013-n1.html|script-title=ja:日本将棋連盟会長・佐藤康光 独創的な指し手で名誉の賞|title=Nihon Shōgi Renmei Kaichō・Satō Yasumitsu Dokusoteki na Sashite de Meiyo no Shō|language=ja|trans-title=JSA president Yasumitsu Satō wins prestigious award for original moves|date=July 20, 2017|newspaper=Sankei Shimbun|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

==Other awards==

  • 1998: Yawata City Meritorius Citizen Award
  • 2003: Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award (Awarded by JSA in recognition of winning 600 official games as a professional)
  • 2007: Kyoto Prefecture Culture Award
  • 2009: Shogi Honor Fighting-spirit Award (Awarded by JSA in recognition of winning 800 official games as a professional)
  • 2011: 25 Years Service Award (Awarded by the JSA in recognition of being an active professional for twenty-five years)
  • 2017: Japanese government's Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbons{{cite news|last=Yamamura|first=Hideki|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170428/k00/00m/040/173000c|script-title=ja:紫綬褒章 将棋棋士・佐藤康光さん 「夢与える存在に」|title=Shijuhōshō Shōgi Kishi・Satō Yasumitsu san "Yume Ataeru Sonzai ni"|language=ja|trans-title=Shogi professional Yasumitsu Sato awarded Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbons|date=April 28, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=October 20, 2017}}

=Year-end prize money and game fee ranking=

Satō has finished in the "Top 10" of the JSA's {{ill|year-end prize money and game fee rankings|ja|将棋界#獲得賞金と対局料}} each year from 1993 to 2014, and then again in 2017. He also has finished in the "Top 3" eight times.

class="wikitable"
YearAmountRank
1993¥21,910,0006th{{cite web|url=http://kishi-mania.jp/prizemoney|title=Nenkan Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō TOP10|script-title=ja:年間獲得賞金・対局料TOP10|trans-title=Annual Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10|language=ja|publisher=Kishi-mania|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140523023204/http://kishi-mania.jp/prizemoney|archive-date=May 23, 2014|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
1994¥55,130,0002nd
1995¥33,720,0005th
1996¥31,040,0005th
1997¥26,510,0006th
1998¥57,370,0003rd
1999¥63,550,0003rd
2000¥47,440,0004th
2001¥25,670,0007th
2002¥55,130,0002nd
2003¥57,090,0002nd
2004¥40,510,0004th
2005¥50,400,0004th{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2007/03/200620.html|title=Nisenrokunen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2006年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2006 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=March 1, 2007|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2006¥75,760,0002nd
2007¥79,270,0003rd{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2008/03/post_114.html|title=Nisennananen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2007年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2007 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=March 1, 2008|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2008¥60,820,0003rd{{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=December 3, 2017}}
2009¥26,880,0007th{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2010/03/200920.html|title=Nisenkyūnen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2009年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2009 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=March 5, 2010|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2010¥30,180,0006th{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2011/02/201020.html|title=Nisenjūnen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2010年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2010 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=February 16, 2011|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2011¥19,200,0009th{{cite web|url=http://www.shogi.or.jp/topics/news/2012/02/201120.html|title=Nisenjūichinen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Nijū|script-title=ja:2011年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト20|trans-title= 2011 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 20|language=ja|date=February 16, 2012|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2012¥25,050,0007th{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2013/02/201210.html|title=Nisenjūninen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū|script-title=ja:2012年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10|trans-title= 2012 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10|language=ja|date=February 18, 2013|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2013¥27,200,0006th{{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=December 3, 2017}}
2014¥16,430,0009th{{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 10|language=ja|date=February 3, 2015|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 3, 2017}}
2017¥19, 670,00010th{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2018/02/201710.html|title=Nisenjūnananen Kakutoku Shōkin・Taikyokuryō Besuto Jū|script-title=ja:2017年獲得賞金・対局料ベスト10|trans-title= 2017 Prize Money/Game Fees Top 10|language=ja|date=February 6, 2018|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=February 7, 2018}}

  • Note: All amounts are given in Japanese yen and include prize money and fees earned from official tournaments and games held from January 1 to December 31.

JSA president

Satō served as the chairman of the {{ill|Shogi Professional Players' Association|ja|日本将棋連盟#棋士会}} from April 2011 until January 2017.{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFG06H8D_W7A200C1000000/|script-title=ja:将棋連盟, 新会長に佐藤康光九段 「信頼回復に全力」 |title=Shōgi Renmai, Shinkaicho ni Satō Yasumitsu Kudan "Shinrai Kaifuku ni Zenryoku"|language=ja|trans-title=Japan Shogi Association selects Yasumitsu Satō 9d as new president. Promises to "use all his power to restore JSA reputation"|date=February 6, 2017|newspaper=The Nikkei|quote=2011年から棋士会会長を務めていた. [Served as chairman of Shogi Professional Players' Association since 2011]|access-date=October 18, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2017/02/post_1508.html|script-title=ja:佐藤康光棋士会会長の辞任に関するお知らせ|title=Satō Yasumitsu Kishikai Kaicho no Jinin ni Kansuru Oshirase|language=ja|trans-title=Announcement regarding Shogi Professional Players' Association Chairman Yasumitsu Satō's resignation|date=February 1, 2017|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=October 18, 2017}} He announced his candidacy for the JSA's board of directors on January 19, 2017, a day after Kōji Tanigawa announced his resignation as JSA president to accept responsibility for the 29th Ryūō challenger controversy.{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S12755945.html|script-title=ja:将棋連盟理事選, 佐藤九段出馬へ|title=Shōgi Renmei Rijisen, Satō Kudan Shūtsuba e|language=ja|trans-title=Sato 9d Announces Candidacy for JSA Board of Directors|date=January 20, 2017|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|url-access=subscription|access-date=November 7, 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Yamamura|first1=Hideki|last2=Mogami|first2=Satoshi|url=http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170118/p2a/00m/0na/013000c|title=Head of shogi association resigns after top player cleared of cheating|date=January 18, 2017|newspaper=Mainichi Shimbun|access-date=November 7, 2017}}

Satō was elected to the JSA's board of directors at an emergency meeting of the organization's members on February 6, 2017, and was later chosen by the board at a meeting held the same day to serve out the remainder of Tanigawa's term as JSA president.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2017/02/post_1510.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=February 6, 2017|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=November 7, 2017}}{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/02/07/national/elite-player-tapped-new-shogi-body-chief-defamation-scandal/|title=Elite player tapped as new 'shogi' body chief after defamation scandal|date=February 7, 2017|newspaper=The Japan Times|agency=Kyodo News|access-date=October 4, 2017}} He was re-elected as president for a full two-year term at the JSA's general meeting on May 29, 2017,{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASK5Y4V8XK5YUCVL019.html|script-title=ja:将棋連盟, 佐藤会長を再任 森内九段が専務理事に|title=Shōgi Renmei, Satō Kaichō wo Sainin Moriuchi Kudan ga Senmuriji ni|language=ja|trans-title=Sato re-elected president of JSA, Moriuchi Kudan chosen to be senior director.|date=May 29, 2017|newspaper=Asahi Shimbun|access-date=October 20, 2017}} as well as again in June 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2019/06/70_7.html|script-title=ja:日本将棋連盟新役員のお知らせ|title=Nihon Shōgi Renmei Shinyakuin no Oshirase|language=ja|trans-title=Announcement of New Japan Shogi Association Board Members|date=June 7, 2019|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=June 8, 2019}} and June 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.shogi.or.jp/news/2021/06/72_13.html|script-title=ja:第72回通常総会ご報告|title=Dai Nanajūnikai Tsūjō Sōkai Gohōkoku|language=ja|trans-title=Report on 72nd General Meeting|date=June 4, 2021|publisher=Japan Shogi Association|access-date=December 10, 2022}}

In April 2023, Satō announced that was not going to seek another term as JSA president when his current term ended at the beginning of June 2023. He stated that he "didn't think he would be president for such a long period of time", and that he "started thinking about not running again around the beginning of the year". He also stated "this was a good time for a change to let someone else become president given that the JSA would be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024".{{cite news|author=|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2023/04/04/kiji/20230404s000413F2318000c.html|script-title=ja:佐藤康光九段, 日本将棋連盟会長退任へ 6月上旬で任期満了 羽生九段が新会長就任濃厚に|title=Satō Yasumitsu Kudan, Nihon Shōgi Renmei Kaichō Tainin e Rokugatsu Jōjun de Ninki Manryō Habu Kudan Shinkaichō Shūnin Nōkō ni|language=ja|trans-title=Yasumitsu Satō 9-dan announces he will not seek another term as JSA president when his current term ends at the beginning of June, and states Habu 9-dan has very good chance of succeeding him as president|date=April 4, 2023|newspaper=Sports Nippon|access-date=June 10, 2023}}

References

{{Reflist}}