Hifumi Katō


Hifumi Katō is a retired Japanese professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 9-dan.
He is a former Meijin, Tenth Dan, Ōi, Kiō and Ōshō major title holder.
He has the nicknames 123 and ひふみん Hifumin given by his fans.
Katō had the record for the youngest professional player who went pro at 14 years and 7 months old until Sōta Fujii became professional in 2016 at age 14 years and 2 months.

Shogi professional

Playing style

Katō is known for playing aggressive Climbing Silver strategies. He received a Masuda Special Award in 2017 for his innovations to this strategy over his career.
Additionally, the Katō variation of the Double Fortress opening is named after him.

Personal life

Katō was baptized as a Catholic in 1970, and his Christian name is Paul. He was made a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by Pope John Paul II in 1986.

Promotion history

Katō's promotion history is as follows:
Katō appeared in major title matches a total of twenty-four times, and won a total of eight titles. In addition to major titles, Katō won twenty-three other shogi championships during his career.

Major titles

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

Other championships

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

Awards and honors

Katō 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.

Annual shogi awards