Kōta Kanai

Kōta Kanai is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 6-dan.

Early life and apprenticeship

Kanai was born on May 25, 1986, in Ageo, Saitama. He learned how to play shogi from his grandfather when he was about six years old. In August 1999, he was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of shogi professional. He was promoted to the rank of 3-dan in 2003, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in April 2007 after the tying for first place with Masayuki Toyoshima in the 40th 3-dan League with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses. Kanai had a record of three wins and four losses after seven games in the 40th 3-dan League before winning his next eleven games to gain professional status.

Kanai advanced to the title match of the 3rd Eiō tournament in 2018, but lost the match to Taichi Takami 4 games to none.

Kanai's promotion history is as follows:

Kana has appeared in one major title match since turning professional.

Kanai received the Japan Shogi Association's Annual Shogi Awards "Most Consecutive Games Won" for 2008 and "Special Game of the Year" for 2009.