The second game of the Osho best-of-five match, in which Sota Fujii (23), a seven-title shogi champion, aims for his third consecutive title, has begun at a hotel in Kobe.

In the Osho match, Fujii, who is aiming for his third straight title, is facing a challenge from Takeru Ito (22), the Eio title holder and his same-age rival. The second game started at 9 a.m. on the 18th; playing first, Fujii took a sip of tea as usual before quietly making the opening move.

In the Osho match, the first to three wins takes the title. Fujii currently has one win. Challenger Ito, who in June 2024 took a title from Fujii—who at the time held all eight major titles—is now aiming to win the Osho title for the first time.

The second game of the Osho match, which will determine whether Fujii moves within one win of defending his title with back-to-back victories, is expected to be decided on the evening of the 18th.

Osho

Osho is a spiritual movement and meditation center founded by the Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho) in the 1970s. It gained notoriety for its controversial teachings and the large commune established in Pune, India, which emphasized dynamic meditation, personal freedom, and challenged traditional social norms. Today, the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune continues to operate as a popular destination for meditation and self-development practices.

Kobe

Kobe is a major port city in Japan, renowned for its scenic setting between mountains and the sea and its cosmopolitan history as one of the first ports to open to international trade in the 19th century. It is famously known for its high-quality Kobe beef and for its resilience, having rebuilt itself after the Great Hanshin earthquake devastated the city in 1995.