Yui Isoya

Yui Isoya
Native name磯谷祐維
Born (2003-01-15) January 15, 2003 (age 23)
HometownKakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Career
Achieved professional statusSeptember 1, 2023(2023-09-01) (aged 20)
Badge numberLPSA-23
RankWomen's 2-dan
TeacherTakayuki Yamasaki (9)
Websites
LPSA profile page

Yui Isoya (磯谷 祐維, Isoya Yui; born January 15, 2003) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked 2-dan. She is affiliated with the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (LSPA).

Early life, amateur shogi, and apprentice professional school

Isoya was born on January 15, 2003, in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. She started playing shogi as a third-grade elementary school student under the guidance of her father and grandfather. She began attending a local shogi school to improve her play and subsequently enrolled the Japan Shogi Association's training group for the Tōkai region in April 2012 as a member of Group F2. By the time she had become a second-grade junior high school student in April 2016, she had been promoted to Group C1, which meant she had met the then qualification for women's professional status; she decided, however, that was not the path she wanted to pursue and did not to apply. She continued in the training group system and was promoted to Group B2 in July 2016; she still had the option of becoming women's shogi professional but still decided not to do so. In 2017, she took the entrance exam for the JSA's apprentice professional school and was accepted as a student of shogi professional Takayuki Yamasaki at the rank of 6-kyū; she had to leave the school after only 11 months, however, due to poor results after being demoted to the rank of 7-kyū.

After leaving the apprentice professional school, Isoya continued developing as a player by playing in amateur shogi tournaments. In February 2023, she re-entered JSA's training group system for the Kanto Region where she was living after enrolling in Kokushikan University in 2021. She satisfied one of conditions for promotion to the rank of women's professional 2-kyū when she was promoted to from training group C1 to training group B2 in April 2023, but still had not played enough games since re-entering the training group system to earn promotion at that time. In August 2023, she finally had played enough games and had avoided demotion from group B2, and this gave her the option to become a women's professional 2-kyū if she wanted to do so. She decided become a women's professional as a member of the Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan and was officially awarded the rank of women's professional 2-kyū on September 1, 2023.

Notable amateur results

In August 2015, Isoya won the 7th Girl's Junior High School Meijin Tournament [ja] (中学生女子将棋名人戦全国大会, Chūgakusei Joshi Shōgi Meijinsen Zenkoku Taikai) as a first-grade junior high school student. As a third-grade junior high school student in August 2019, she also won the Girl's Division of the 38th All Japan Junior High School Student Invitational Shogi Championship [ja] (全国中学生選抜将棋選手権大会, Zenkoku Chūgakusei Senbatsu Shōgi Senshuken Taikai).

In December 2018, Isoya won the 11th Girl's Amateur Ōi Tournament [ja] (女子アマ王位戦, Joshi Ama Ōisen) when she was a first-year high school student. The following December she won the tournament again to repeat as champion and then won the tournament for a third time in December 2022 when she was a second-year university student.

Isoya won the Women's Amateur Meijin Tournament [ja] (女流アマ名人戦, Joryū Ama Meijinsen) in September 2021, and repeated the feat the following year to become the tenth woman to win the tournament in consecutive years.

Women's shogi professional

Isoya won her first tournament since becoming women's professional when she defeated Miran Nohara in the finals of the non-major title 8th Yamada Challenge Cup [ja] (July 2023 – January 2024). Isoya began the tournament while still an amateur; she won her first two games played on July 24 and became a women's professional 2-kyū between Rounds 2 and 3 on September 1, 2023. She was promoted to women's professional 1-kyu after winning her semi-final game against Rei Takedomi on November 17, 2023, and then to women's professional 1-dan after being Nohara in the final on January 3, 2024.

In March 2026, Isoya advanced to the finals of the challenger determination tournament for the 37th Women's Ōi [ja] but lost to Ayaka Ōshima in 112 moves to miss becoming the challenger for a women's professional shogi major title. Two months later in May, Isoya had another chance to become the challenger for a women's major title but lost to Tomoka Nishiyama in 113 moves in the finals of the challenger determination tournament for the 8th Seirei tournament [ja].

Promotion history

Isoya has been promoted as follows.

Note: All ranks are women's professional ranks.

Personal life

Isoya was accepted into Kokushikan University in 2021 as a student of the School of Science and Engineering, but posted on her official X account on April 2, 2024, that she left the university on March 31, 2024, to focus shogi.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kireki (Isoya Yui)" 棋歴 (磯谷祐維) [Player history: Yui Isoya]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Seto, Kanon (January 3, 2024). "Isoya Yui Joryū Ikkyū ga Hatsu Yūshō Yamada Charenjihai ｢Yatto Oshōgatsu ga Kita｣ Puro Iri Yonkagetsu" 磯谷祐維女流1級が初優勝 Yamadaチャレンジ杯 ｢やっとお正月が来た｣ プロ入り4か月 [Yui Isoya women's professional 1-kyū win her first tournament, the Yamada Challenge Cup, four months after turning professional; she says "New Year's Day finally has arrived".]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Kagayaku Kinpatsu Buki, Puro Joryukishi Tanjō Gifu Shusshin Hatachi no Daigakusei･Isoya Yui-san ｢Makezu Girai no Seibun｣" 輝く金髪も武器, プロ女流棋士誕生 岐阜出身20歳の大学生･磯谷祐維さん ｢負けず嫌いの性分｣ [New women's professional shogi player Yui Isoya is a 20-year-old university student from Gifu whose blond hair is a weapon and who "hates to lose".]. Gifu Shimbun (in Japanese). August 30, 2023. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Seto, Kanon [in Japanese] (January 15, 2024). "Kinpatsu no Joryūkishi･Isoya Yui Joryū Shodan ｢Watashi ni wa Shōgi shika Nai｣ Puro Iri Yonkagetsu de Hatsu Yūshō Shin Kaze Fukikomu Nijūissai" 金髪の女流棋士･磯谷祐維女流初段 ｢私には将棋しかない｣ プロ入り4か月で初優勝 新風吹き込む21歳 [21-year-old blond haired women's shogi professional Yui Isoya 1-dan wins her first tournament 4 months after entering the professional ranks; she is breath of fresh air who says "there is nothing for me but shogi".]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Tōkai Kenshūkai Seiseki Ichiranhyō" 東海研修会 成績一覧表 [Tokai Training Groups: List of results]. Japan Shogi Association (in Japanese). 2012. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Tōkai Kenshūkai Seiseki Ichiranhyō" 東海研修会 成績一覧表 [Tokai Training Groups: List of results]. Japan Shogi Association (in Japanese). 2012. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Tōkai Kenshūkai Seiseki Ichiranhyō" 東海研修会 成績一覧表 [Tokai Training Groups: List of results]. Japan Shogi Association (in Japanese). 2016. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ Seto, Kanon (February 4, 2024). "Kinpatsu no Joryūkishi wo Deshi ni Motsu Shishō no Hanashi Yamasaki Takayuki Hachidan no Kōkai to Inori" 金髪の女流棋士を弟子に持つ師匠の話 山崎隆之八段の後悔と祈り [The story of a shogi professional and his blond-haired women's shogi professional student: the regrets and prayers of Takayuki Yamasaki 8-dan]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  9. ↑ Tanaka, Yūsuke (September 5, 2023). "Sannin Joryūkishi ga Tanjō" 3人の女流棋士が誕生 [Three new women's professional shogi players are announced.]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Dai Kyūkai Shōgakusei･Dai Nanakai Chūgakusei Joshi Shōgi Meijinsen Chiku Taikai･Zenkoku Taikai Nitte" 第9回小学生･第7回中学生女子将棋名人戦地区大会･全国大会日程 [9th Elementary School and 7th Junior High School All Japan Girl's Meijin Tournaments: Regional and National Tournament Schedule]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players Association of Japan (in Japanese). August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Zenkoku Chūgakusei Senbatsu Shōgi Senshuken Taikai [Joshi Kesshō Tōnamento]" 全国中学生選抜将棋選手権大会 [女子決勝トーナメント] [All Japan Junior High School Invitational Shogi Championship [Girl's Championship Tournament]]. Japan Shogi Association (in Japanese). 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Hatsu Shutsujō no Kōkō Ichinen Isoya Yui-san ga Yūshō Shōgi･Joshi Ama Ōisen" 初出場の高校1年, 磯谷祐維さんが優勝 将棋･女子アマ王位戦 [First-year high school student Yui Isoya wins the Girl's Amateur Ōi Tournament; it was her first time playing in the tournament]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). December 17, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Dai Jūnikai Joshi Ama Ōisen･Zenkoku Taikai" 第12回女子アマ王位戦･全国大会 [12th Girl's Amateur Ōi Tournament･All Japan Tournament]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players Association of Japan (in Japanese). December 16, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Hifumihai Dai Jūgokai Joshi Ama Ōisen Zenkoku Taikai" ひふみ杯 第15回女子アマ王位戦 全国大会 [Hifumi Cup: 15th Girl's Amateur Ōi Tournament All Japan Tournament]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players Association of Japan (in Japanese). December 22, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ Chunichi Tokyo Shogi Sub-channel (December 19, 2022). Sandome Bui Daigaku Ninensei Isoya Yui-san Joshi Ama Ōi 3度目V 大学2年生 磯谷祐維さん 女子アマ王位戦 [Second-year university student Yui Isoya wins the Girl's Amateur Ōi Tournament for the third time] (video) (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun and Tokyo Shimbun. Retrieved August 28, 2026 – via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Kitano, Arata [in Japanese] (September 20, 2021). "Shōgi no Joryū Ama Meijinsen Daigaku Ichinensei･Isoya Yui-san ga Hatsu Yūshō" 将棋の女流アマ名人戦 大学1年生･磯谷祐維さんが初優勝 [Shogi's Women's Amateur Meijin Tournament: first-year university student Yui Isoya wins for the first time]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Shōgi‣Joryū Ama Meijinsen de Isoya-san (Rikō Ichinen) ga Hatsu Yushō" 将棋･女流アマ名人戦で磯谷さん (理工1年) が初優勝 [Ms. Isoya (first-year science and engineering student) wins the Women's Amateur Meijin Tournament for the first time]. Kokushikan University (in Japanese). October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ Seto, Kanon (September 24, 2022). "Shōgi no Joryū Ama Meijinsen Daigaku Ninensei･Isoya Yui-san ga Buitsū ｢Yume wa Joryū Taitoru｣" 将棋の女流アマ名人戦 大学2年生･磯谷祐維さんがV2 ｢夢は女流タイトル｣ [Shogi's Women's Amateur Meijin Tournament: second-year university student Yui Isoya wins for the second year in a row and says "her dream is to win a women's professional major title"]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Shōgi‣Joryū Ama Meijinsen de Isoya-san ga Nirenpa" 将棋･女流アマ名人戦で磯谷さんが2連覇 [Ms. Isoya wins the Women's Amateur Meijin Tournament for second year in a row.]. Kokushikan University (in Japanese). September 29, 2022. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Isoya Yui Joryū Ikkyū ga Hatsu Yūshō, Shōgi Charenjihai Shodan ni Shōdan, Gifu･Kakamigahara-shi Shusshin" 磯谷祐維女流1級が初優勝, 将棋チャレンジ杯 初段に昇段, 岐阜･各務原市出身 [Yui Isoya women's professional 1-kyū, who comes from Kakamigahara in Gifu, wins the Shogi Challenge Cup, her first tournament as a professional, and earns promotion to 1-dan]. Gifu Shimbun (in Japanese). January 4, 2024. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Isoya-san Hatsu Yūshō Shōgi･Joryū Ama Meijinsen" 磯谷さん初優勝 将棋･女流アマ名人戦 [Shogi's Amateur Women's Meijin Tournament: Ms. Isoya wins for the first time]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). September 27, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  22. ↑ "[Shōgi] Isoya Yui Joryū Ikkyū ga Kōshikisen Hatsu Yūshō de Shodan Shōdan, Nohara Joryū Shodan ni Gyakutengachi Joryū Charenjihai" [将棋] 磯谷祐維女流1級が公式戦初優勝で初段昇段, 野原女流初段に逆転勝ち 女流チャレンジ杯 [[Shogi] Women's professional 1-kyū Yui Isoya defeats women's professional Nohara 1-dan to win the women's Yamada Challenge; the win was her first as a professional and earned promotion to 1-dan]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 3, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Tōkyōkai Shozoku Shin Joryū Nikyū Tanjō no Oshirase" 当協会所属 新女流2級誕生のお知らせ [Announcing our association's new women's professional 2-kyū]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (in Japanese). August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Isoya Yui Joryū Nikyū ga Joryū Ikkyu ni Shōdan" 磯谷祐維女流2級が女流1級に昇級 [Women's professional 2-kyū Yui Isoya promoted to 1-kyū]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (in Japanese). November 20, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  25. 1 2 "Isoya Yui Joryū Ikkyū ga Joryū Shodan e Shōdan" 磯谷祐維女流1級が女流初段へ昇段 [Women's professional 1-kyū Yui Isoya promoted to 1-dan]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (in Japanese). January 5, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Joryū Ōisen, Ōshima Ayaka Joryū Nidan ga Chōsenken Kakutoku Ketteisen de Isoya Yui Joryū Shodan ni Katsu" 女流王位戦, 大島綾華女流二段が挑戦権獲得 決定戦で磯谷祐維女流初段に勝つ [Women's professional 2-dan Ayaka Ōshima defeats women's professional 1-dan Yui Isoya in the finals of the challenger determination tournament to become challenger for the Women's Ōi title]. Chunichi Shimbun (in Japanese). March 13, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan, Sankiburi ni Seirei Chōsenken Kakutoku Goban Shōbu wa Nanagatsu Kokonoka Kaimaku" 西山朋佳女流三冠,3期ぶりに清麗戦挑戦権獲得　五番勝負は7月9日に開幕 [Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama to challenge for the Seirei Title for the first time in three years; the best-of-five match will begin on July 9]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). May 26, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Isoya Yui Joryū Shodan ga Joryū Nidan ni Shōdan" 磯谷祐維女流初段が女流二段に昇段 [Women's professional 1-dan Yui Isoya promoted to 2-dan]. Ladies Professional Shogi-players' Association of Japan (in Japanese). June 30, 2026. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  29. ↑ Isoya, Yui [@yuutinn15] (April 2, 2024). "Shiji desu ga, Nisennijūyonnen Sangatsu Sanjūichinichi wo Motte, Kokushikan Daigaku wo Taigakuitashimashita" 私事ですが, 2024年3月31日をもって, 国士舘大学を退学いたしました。 [Just a personal note: As of March 31, 2024, I am no longer a student at Kokushikan University.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved October 15, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).