Tomoka Nishiyama

Tomoka Nishiyama
Nishiyama in 2014
Native name	西山朋佳
Born	(1995-06-27) June 27, 1995 (age 29)
Hometown	Ōsakasayama, Osaka
Career
Achieved professional status	April 1, 2021(2021-04-01) (aged 25)
Badge Number	W-73
Rank	Women's 5-dan
Teacher	Hirofumi Itō (7-dan)
Current titles held	Jo-Ō [ja] Women's Ōshō [ja] Women's Meijin Hakurei [ja]
Lifetime titles	Lifetime Jo-Ō Queen Ōshō
Major titles won	18
Websites
JSA profile page

Tomoka Nishiyama (西山 朋佳, Nishiyama Tomoka, born June 27, 1995) is a Japanese women's professional shogi player ranked 5-dan. She is the current holder of the Jo-Ō [ja], Women's Ōshō [ja] and Hakurei [ja] titles as well as a former holder of the Women's Ōza [ja] and Women's Meijin titles.

Early life, amateur shogi and education

Nishiyama was born on June 27, 1995, in Ōsakasayama, Osaka. She first was exposed to shogi as a three-year-old by watching her father and older sister play but really learned how to play the game as a five-year-old first-grade elementary school student. She soon started attending a neighborhood shogi school three times a week and playing practice games on the Internet.^[1][2] In 2009, she won the girls' division of the 30th All Japan Junior High School Student Shogi Championship [ja] as a junior high school second-grade student^[3] and thereafter was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's training group in Osaka.^[2] Nishiyama quickly progressed through the training group system and was eventually accepted into the JSA's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū under the tutelage of shogi professional Hirofumi Itō.^[2]

After high school, Nishiyama moved to Tokyo to study environmental informatics at Keio University, but she has been on a leave of absence to focus on shogi since 2015.^[2]

Apprentice shogi professional

Nishiyama was promoted to the rank of apprentice professional 1-dan in January 2014, becoming just the second woman to achieve that rank after Kana Satomi. Later that same year in September 2014, she became the second woman to be promoted to the rank of apprentice professional 2-dan (once again after Satomi). Nishiyama was 19 years and 2 months old when she was promoted, thus breaking Satomi's record of 21 years and 4 months.^[4] In December 2015, Nishiyama was promoted to the rank of apprentice professional 3-dan, thus becoming the second woman (yet again following Satomi) to achieve such a rank. At age 20 years and 5 months, she also broke Satomi's record of 21 years and 9 months.^[5][6] With Satomi having to leave the 3-dan league in 2018, Nishiyama is now the only woman competing in the league as of August 2019^[update].^[2][7]

Nishiyama finished the 66th 3-dan League (October 2019 – March 2020) in third place with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses. Going into the last day of league play, Nishiyama was in provisional third place with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, trailing Hiroki Taniai (13 wins and 3 losses) and Shinichirō Hattori (12 wins and 4 losses). Since Nishiyama's league seed was the lowest of the three, she needed to win both of her games and finish at least one game ahead of one of the other two to obtain automatic promotion to the rank of professional 4-dan. Taniai lost one of his two games, but Hatori and Nishiyama won both of theirs which meant that all three finished league play with the same record. Although Nishiyama missed out on being promoted due to her lower seed, her result was good enough to earn her a promotion point for future league play and means she needs only one more promotion point to qualify for full-professional status.^[8][9][10]

On April 1, 2021, the JSA announced that it had accepted Nishiyama's request to leave the apprenticeship school and become a women's professional under its affiliation.^[11] Nishiyama posted a message to her fans and supporters on her personal Twitter earlier that same day which thanked them for their support and explained that she decided to make the switch after giving the matter long consideration.^[12] The end of her career as an apprentice professional means she now only be able to become a regular shogi professional via the Professional Admissions Test available to qualifying amateurs and women professionals. On the other hand, it also means that she could now complete in all tournaments and title matches open to women's professional, and not only those in which apprentice professionals were allowed to participate.^[13][14]

Apprentice professional promotion history

Nishiyama's promotion history as an apprentice professional is as follows.^[2]

• 6-kyū: 2010
• 1-dan: January 2014
• 2-dan: September 2014
• 3-dan: December 2015
• Leaves apprentice professional school to become women's professional: March 31, 2021

• Note: Ranks are apprentice professional ranks.

Women's shogi professional

Nishiyama's first appearance came in a women's maor title match came in 2014 when she challenged fellow apprentice shogi professional Momoko Katō for the 4th Women's Ōza [ja] title, but she lost the match 3 games to none.^[15][2]

Nishiyama and Katō met again in May 2018 in the 11th Women's Myavi Open Tournament [ja] and its Jo-Ō title. Nishiyama defeated the defending Jo-Ō Katō 3 games to 1 to win her first major title match. Nishiyama's victory also made her the second apprentice professional after Katō to win a women's professional shogi major title.^[2][16] Nishiyama successfully defended her Jo-Ō title the following year when she defeated women's professional shogi player Kana Satomi 3 games to 1 in May 2019.^[17]

Nishiyama challenged Satomi for 41st Ōshō [ja] title in October – November 2019. She won the first game of the match, lost the second, but won the deciding third game to capture the title 2 games to 1. The victory made her a 2-crown title holder (二冠, Ni kan) for the first time.^[18]

In October – December 2019, Nishiyama and Satomi met in the 9th Women's Ōza title match, their third major title match in six months. Nishiyama won the match 3 games to 1 to capture another of Satomi's titles and also become a 3-crown title holder for the first time.^[19]

In June 2020, Nishiyama successfully defended her Jo-Ō title by defeating Momoko Katō 3 games to 2 to win the 13th Women's Myavi Open Tournament.^[20] That same year in October, she defended her Women's Ōshō title by defeating Yuki Muroya 3 games to 2 in the 42nd Women's Ōshō title match.^[21] Two months later in December, she successfully defended her Women's Ōza title by defeating Satomi 3 games to 2.^[22]

In her first major title defense since leaving the JSA's apprentice school and officially changing her status to women's professional, Nishiyama defeated Sae Itō 3 games to 2 to win the 14th Women's Myavi Open Tournament and retain her Jo-Ō title in June 2021.^[23]

Nishiyama defeated Mana Watanabe 4 games to none to win the 1st Hakurei [ja] title in September – October 2021. The victory made Nishiyama a Women's 4-crown title holder and the first prize of JPY 15,000,000, the biggest winner's prize in women's professional shogi.^[24] In October – November 2021, Nishiyama defended her Women's Ōshō title against Satomi, but lost the 43rd Ōshō title match 2 games to 1 to drop back to 3-crown status.^[25] Nishiyama was also unsuccessful in her Ōza title defense against Satomi in the 11th Ōza title match (October 2021 – December 2021) in 2021; this time Nishiyama lost the match 3 games to none.^[26]

In April – June 2022, Nishiyama challenged Satomi for the 33rd Women's Ōi title but was defeated 3 games to 1.^[27] Nishiyama and Satomi also faced each other in the 15th Mynavi Women's Open title match (April – June 2022) with Nishiyama winning the best-of-five series 3 games to 2. By defending her Jo-Ō title and winning the tournament for the fifth consecutive time, Nishiyama became the first women's professional to qualify for the "Lifetime Jo-Ō" title. Nishiyama's victory also secured her promotion to the rank of women's professional 4-dan.^[28]

In August – October 2022, Nishiyama faced Satomi once again in 2nd Hakurei title match. This time, however, Satomi came out on top and won the match 4 games to 3 to capture Nishiyama's Hakurei title.^[29]　Nishiyama, however, returned to 2-crown status a week later when she defeated Satomi in Game 3 of the 34th Women's Ōshō title match (October 2022) on October 28, 2022, to win the match 2 games to 1 and recapture the Women's Ōshō title.^[30] The two players faced each other yet again in a major title match a few days later with Nishiyama challenging Satomi for her Kurashiki Tōka Cup [ja] title. This was Nishiyama's first appearance in the Kurashiki Tōka Cup title match, but her title challenge was unsuccessful and she lost the 30th Kurashiki Tōka Cup title match (November 2022) 2 games to none.^[31]

Nishiyama won the Women's Meijin title for the first time in February 2023 when she defeated reigning Women's Meijin Itō 3 games to 1 to win the 49th Women's Meijin title match. It was the first time Nishyama had challenged for the Women's Meijin title.^[32] In May 2023, she successfully defended her Mynavi Women's Open Jo-Ō title by defeating Tomomi Kai 3 games to none in 16th Mynavi Women's Open title match to win the title for the sixth consecutive year.^[33] A few months later, Nishiyama challenged Satomi for the Seirei title, but lost the 5th Seirei title match (July 2023 – August 2023) 3 games to 1.^[34]

In October 2023, Nishiyama successfully defended her Women's Ōshō title by defeating Manao Kagawa 2 games to none in the 45th Women's Ōshō title match.^[35] The victory was Nishiyama's seventh major title since officially becoming a women's professional in April 2021 and thus qualified her for promotion to the rank of women's professional 5-dan.^[36][a] A few weeks later, Nishiyama returned to 4-crown status by defeating Satomi 4 games to 3 in 3rd Hakurei title match (September – October 2023).^[37] Nishiyama faced Satomi in a major title match for the third time in 2023 as challenger for the 31st Kurashiki Tōka Cup (November 2023), but lost the match 2 games to none.^[38]

In January – February 2024, Nishiyama defended her Women's Meijin title against Kana Fukuma (née Satomi) in the 50th Women't Meijin Match, but lost the match 3 games to 1.^[39]

In May 2024, Nishiyama won the Women's Mynabi Open Jo-Ō title for the seventh consecutive year when she defeated Ayaka Ōshima 3 games to 0 in the 17th Women's Mynavi Open (April 2024 – May 2024) title match.^[40]

In September – October 2024, Nishiyama successfully defended her Hakurei and Women's Ōshō titles. Both matches were against Women's 5-crown Fukuma, who forfeited several games due to not feeling well due to her pregnancy. Nishiyama was trailing the 4th Hakurei title match (September – October 2024) 2 games to 1 before Game 4 was postponed because Nishiyama had contracted COVID-19.^[41] Nishiyama won the rescheduled Game 4 to draw even at two wins apiece before Fukuma forfeited Games 5 and 6 to lose the match 4 games to 2.^[42] In the 46th Women's Ōshō title match (October 2024), Nishiyama lost Game 1, but Fukuma forfeited Games 2 and 3 to lose the match 2 games to 1.^[43] Nishiyama's defense of her Women's Ōshō title was her fifth Women's Ōshō overall and qualified her for the Queen Ōshō title.^[43]

Women's professional promotion history

Nishiyama's promotion history as a women's professional is as follows.^[44]

• 3-dan: April 1, 2021
• 4-dan: June 13, 2022
• 5-dan: October 17, 2023

• Note: Ranks are women's professional ranks.

Titles and other championships

Nishiyama has appeared in women's professional shogi major title matches a total of twenty-seven times and has won eighteen titles.^[45]

Major titles

Title	Years	Number of times overall
Jo-Ō [ja]	2018–24 (current)	7
Women's Ōshō [ja]	2019–20, 2022–24 (current)	5
Women's Ōza [ja]	2019–20	2
Hakurei [ja]	2021, 2023–24 (current)	3
Women's Meijin	2022	1

Awards and honors

Nishiyama won the Japan Shogi Association's Annual Shogi Award for "Women's Professional Game of the Year" for the 2019 shogi year (April 2019 – March 2020)^[46] and the 2020 shogi year (April 2020 – March 2021).^[47] She won the "Excellent Women's Professional" award for the 2021 shogi year (April 2021 – March 2022)^[48] and the 2022 shogi year (April 2022 – March 2023).^[49]

Professional Admission Test

On August 9, 2024, the JSA announced that it had approved Nishiyama's application for the Professional Admission Test, making her the second woman to be approved for the test.^[50][b] She satisfied the criteria for the test the previous month when she defeated a regular professional in the official tournament play to improve her recent record against regular professionals to 13 wins and 7 losses for a winning percentage of 65%.^[51] Nishiyama's test consists of a best-of-five test match against the five most recently promoted regular professionals (Yūjirō Takahashi [ja], Taiki Yamakawa [ja], Hirotoshi Ueno, Kenta Miyajima [ja] and Kanta Masegi [ja]) with her needing to win three of the five games to be awarded regular professional status as a "Free Class" professional. The schedule is for one game to be played a month starting in September 2024 under official game conditions.^[50][52]

Nishiyama's first game of her test against Takahashi was held on September 10; she won the game in 132 moves to move one step closer to becoming the first woman to be awarded regular professional status by the JSA.^[53] Game 2 of the test against Taiki Yamakawa was played on October 2, 2024, with Yamakawa winning in 104 moves.^[54] Five days before the game on September 27, 2024, the JSA posted on its official website that Nishiyama had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and that Game 4 of her 4th Hakurei Title Match scheduled to be held the following day (September 28, 2024) against challenger Fukuma was being postponed as a result.^[55][41] After her Game 2 loss to Yamakawa, Nishiyama stated she was "sorry for any inconvenience she caused due to her inability to take better care of health" and that she "would try to show her true playing strength in Game 3".^[54] Nishiyama faced Ueno in Game 3 on November 8, 2024, but lost the game in 109 moves, which left her needing to win her next two games to pass the test.^[56] Game 4 against Miyajima was played on December 17, 2024, at the JSA's new Kansai Branch Office; Nishiyama won the game in 95 moves which meant the result of her test would be decided in Game 5 scheduled to be held in January 2025.^[57]

Personal life

Nishiyama's older sister Shizuka [ja] is a Go professional.^[2]

Notes

1. Nishiyama won seven women's major titles while still a member of the professional shogi apprentice school before officially becoming a women's professional in April 2021.
2. The first was Kana Fukuma, who took the test in August – October 2022.

References

1. Nishiyama, Tomoka (February 23, 2014). "Danjosanaku Shōbu no Michi wo Puro Kishi Mezasu Nishiyama Tomoka-san" 男女差なく勝負の道を プロ棋士目指す西山朋佳さん [No difference when between men and women when it comes to competition for Tomaka Nishiyama as she tries to become a professional shogi player]. The Nikkei (Interview) (in Japanese). Interviewed by Yūsuke Tanaka. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
2. Kitano, Arata [in Japanese] (June 5, 2018). "Nijūnisai no Anarogu Jo-Ō･Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan, Yumeō ｢Hatsu no Josei Kishi｣ e no Chōsen" 22歳のアナログ女王･西山朋佳三段, 夢追う ｢初の女性棋士｣ への挑戦 [22-year-old Analog Jo-Ō Tomoka Nishikawa 3-dan chasing her dream of becoming the first female professional shogi player]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved August 13, 2019.
3. "Dai Sanjūkai Zenkoku Chūgakusei Senbatsu Senshuken Taikai (Joshi Kesshō Tōnamento)" 第30回全国中学生選抜将棋選手権大会 [女子決勝トーナメント] [30th All Japan Junior High School Student Shogi Championship (Girl's Championship Tournament)] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
4. "Joseikishi Nishiyama-san ga Shōreikai Nindan... Joryu Nikan Satomi-san yori Hayai Nenrei de Nininme" 女流棋士の西山さんが奨励会二段...女流二冠の里見さんより早い年齢で2人目 [Women's apprentice shogi professional Nishima becomes second women to be promoted to apprentice professional 2-dan; second woman to achieve such a rank and does so at an earlier age than Women shogi professional Satomi 2-crown]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). September 21, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
5. "Nishiyama Tomoka-san Josei Nininmei no Shōreikai Sandan Sainenshō de" 西山朋佳さん 女性2人目の奨励会三段 最年少で [Tomoka Nishima becomes second women to be promoted to apprentice professional 3-dan; she's also the youngest to do so.]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). December 5, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
6. "Nishiyama Tomoka Shōreikaiin, Shōreikai Sandan ni" 西山朋佳奨励会員 奨励会三段に [Apprentice professional Tomoka Nishiyama promoted to 3-dan] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. December 7, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
7. Yamamura, Hideki (February 18, 2018). "Satomi Kana, Josei Hatsu no Kishi Toonoku, Shoreikai Taikai Kimaru" 里見香奈, 女性初の棋士遠のく 奨励会退会決まる [Kana Satomi's bid to become first female "kishi" unsuccessful. End of apprenticeship determined]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved February 27, 2018.
8. "Dai Rokujūrokkai Shōreikai Sandan Rīgusen" 第66回奨励会三段リーグ戦 [66th Apprentice School 3-dan League] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
9. "Shōgi Hatsu no ｢Kishi｣ wa Machikoshi Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan" 将棋初の女性 ｢棋士｣ は持ち越し 西山朋佳三段 [Tomoka Nishiyama 3-dan's bid to become the first woman "regular shogi professional" placed on hold]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
10. "Shōgi no Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan, Hatsu no Josei Kishi Narazu" 将棋の西山朋佳三段, 初の女性棋士ならず [Shogi's Tomoka Nishiyama 3-dan misses becoming the first woman awarded regular shogi professional status]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
11. "Nishiyama Tomoka Shōreikai Sandan ga Shigatsu yori Joryō Sandan ni" 西山朋佳奨励会三段が4月より女流三段に [Apprentice professional 3-dan Tomoko Nishiyama will be a women's professional 3-dan from April] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
12. Nishiyama, Tomoka [@TMK_0627] (April 1, 2021). "Shōreikai wo Taikai, Joryu Kishi ni Tenkōsurukoto ga Kimemashita. Ichinenkan Nayaminagara Idondeorimashita. Takusan no Kata ni Iron na Omoi de Ōen ya, Sase wo Ittadakimashita. Hontō ni Arigatō Gozaimashita" 奨励会を退会, 女流棋士に転向することを決めました。一年間悩みながら挑んでおりました。沢山の方に色んな思いで応援や, 支えをいただきました。本当に有難うございました。 [I've decided to leave the apprentice professional school to become a women's professional shogi player. This is something I though about for a year before deciding to accept the challenge. I sincerely thank all the many people who supported and helped me as an apprentice professional.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
13. Yamamura, Hideki (April 1, 2021). "Shōgi Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan ga Shōreikai wo Taikai Joryōkishi ni Tenkō" 将棋 西山朋佳三段が奨励会を退会 女流棋士に転向 [Tomoka Nishiyama 3d leaves apprentice school to become women's professional shogi player]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved April 2, 2021.
14. "Shōgi no Nishiyama Tomoka Sandan ga Shōreikai Taikai, Joryōkishi Tenkō ｢Kitai wa Jyōatsu de wa Naku, Chikara ni Narimashita｣ to Kansha" 将棋の西山朋佳三段が奨励会退会, 女流棋士転向 ｢期待は重圧ではなく, 力になりました｣と感謝 [Tomoka Nishiyama leaves shogi apprentice school to become a women's professional shogi player; says she's did not see the expections others placed on her to becomeg the first female to attain regular professional status as a heavy burden, but rather as something that gave her strength and is grateful for support.]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
15. "Daiyonki Riko Hai Joryū Ozasen" 第4期 リコー杯女流王座戦 [4th Rico Cup Women's Oza Title Match] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
16. "Shōreikai no Nishiyama Tomoka ga Hatsu Taitoru Mainabi Joshi" 奨励会の西山朋佳が初タイトル マイナビ女子 [Apprentice professional wins Mynavi Women's Open for first major title]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). May 24, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
17. "Nishiyama Jo-Ō ga Hatsu Bōei Satomi Joryū Ōza ni Sanshō Ippai" 西山女王が初防衛 里見女流王座に3勝1敗 [Nishiyama Jo-Ō first title defense a 3 games to 1 victory over Women's Ōza title holder Satomi]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). May 28, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
18. "Shogi･Nishiyama ga Joryū Ōshō wo Dasshushite Nikan ni, Satomi wa Gokan ni Kōtai" 将棋･西山が女流王将を奪取して2冠に 里見は5冠に後退 [Shogi's Nishiyama captures Women's Ōshō title and becomes 2-crown title holder, while Satomi drops back to being a 5-crown title holder]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
19. "Nishiyama Jo-Ō ga Dasshu, Sankan ni Shōgi Rikō Hai Joryū Ōza" 西山女王が奪取, 三冠に 将棋リコー杯女流王座戦 [Nishiyama Jo-Ō captures Shogi's Rico Cup Women's Ōza title to become a 3-crown title holder]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). December 4, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
20. "Nishiyama Tomoka Jo-Ō, Nidome no Bōe de Sankan Mamori ｢Ureshii｣ Mainabi Joshi OP" 西山朋佳女王, 2度目の防衛で3冠守り｢うれしい｣ マイナビ女子OP [Mynavi Women's Open: Tomoka Nishiyama defends Jo-Ō title for a second time and remains a 3-crown title holder. States she's happy with the result.]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
21. "Shogi, Nishiyama Joryū Ōshō ga Hatsu Bōei Sankan wo Iji" 将棋, 西山女流王将が初防衛 三冠を維持 [Shogi: Nishiyama's first title defense as Women's Ōshō is a success as she maintains her 3-crown titleholder status]. Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). Kyodo News. October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
22. "Shōgi Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan ga Joryū Ōza Hatsubōei" 将棋 西山朋佳女流三冠が女流王座戦初防衛 [Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama successful in first defense of Women's Ōza title]. NHK News Web (in Japanese). December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
23. Murakami, Kōji (June 1, 2021). "Nishiyama Jo-Ō ga Yonrenpa, Shōgi･Mainabi Joshi Joryū Sankan wo Kenji" 西山女王が4連覇, 将棋･マイナビ女子 女流三冠を堅持 [Shogi's Mynavi Women's Open: Nishiyama Jo-Ō wins for the fourth straight time and keep firm grasp on Women't 3-crown status]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved June 1, 2021.
24. "Shōgi･Hakureisen, Nishiyama Tomoka Sanka ga Shodai Taitoru Kakutoku...Shōkin wa Joryū Gikai Saikōgaku Sengohyakuman" 将棋･白玲戦, 西山朋佳三冠が初代タイトル獲得...賞金は女流棋界最高額1500万円 [Tomoka Nishiyama 3-crown first winner of Hakurei title...the winner's prize of JPY 15,000,000 is largest in women's profssional shogi.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
25. "Joryū Ōshōsen, Satomi Joryū Yonkan ga Dasshu de Gokan ni Fukki" 女流王将戦, 里見女流四冠が奪取で5冠に復帰 [Satomi Women's 4-crown captures Ōshō title to return to 5-crown status]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
26. "Satomi, Joryū Ōza Dakkan Hatsu Kuīn Ōza ni Shōgi" 里見, 女流王座を奪還 初代クイーン王座に 将棋 [Satomi recaptures Women's Ōza title to become the first to be awarded the title of "Queen Ōza"]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
27. "Shōgi･Joryū Ōisen, Satomi ga Taitoru Bōei" 将棋･女流王位戦, 里見がタイトル防衛 [Women's Ōi tournament: Satomi defends her title]. Kobe Shimbun (in Japanese). June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
28. Maruyama, Susumu (June 13, 2022). "Nishiyama Tomoka Jo-Ō ga Bōei Hatsu no ｢Eisei Jo-Ō｣ ni Mainabi Joshi OP Daigokyoku" 西山朋佳女王が防衛 初の｢永世女王｣に マイナビ女子OP第5局 [Mynavi Women's Ooen Game 5: Tomoka Nishiyama Jo-Ō defends title to become the first "Lifetime Jo-Ō" titleholder]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved June 13, 2022.
29. "Satomi Kana Joryū Gokan, Nishiyama Tomoka Hakurei ni Kachi Taitoru Dasshu ... Nikaime no Joryū Rokkan ni Fukki" 里見香奈女流五冠, 西山朋佳白玲に勝ちタイトル奪取...2回目の女流六冠に復帰 [Kana Satomi Women's 5-crown defeats Tomoka Nishiyama Hakurei to capture Hakurei title ... it is the 2nd time for Satomi to become a women's 6-crown title holder]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
30. "Nishiyama Tomoka, Joryū Ōshō-sen Taitoru Dasshu ｢Nikan Fukki wa Kōei na Koto｣ Ninenburi Sankime no Kakutoku" 西山朋佳, 女流王将戦タイトル奪取「2冠復帰は光栄なこと」2年ぶり3期目の獲得 [Tomoka Nishiyama captures the Women's Ōshō for the third time overall and for the first time in two years; she says it is "an honor to return to 2-crown status"]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). October 28, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
31. "Satomi Kana･Joryū Gokan ga Kurashiki Tōka Hachirenpai... Nishiyama Tomoka Jo-Ō ni Nirenshō de Bōei" 里見香奈･女流五冠が倉敷藤花8連覇...西山朋佳女王に2連勝で防衛 [Women's professional 5-crown Kana Satomi wins 8th consecutive Kurashiki Tōka Cup title; Satomi defeated Jo-Ō Tomoka Nishiyama 2 games to none to defend title.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). November 27, 2022. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
32. "[Shōgi] Nishiyama Tomoka Jo-Ō ga Hatsuchōsen de Joryū Meijin Kakutoku Itō Sae Joryū Meijin Bōei Narazu Joryū Meijinsen" [将棋] 西山朋佳女王が初挑戦で女流名人獲得 伊藤沙恵女流名人は初防衛ならず 女流名人戦 [[Shogi] Women's Meijin Tournament: Sae Itō loses Meijin title to first-time challenger Tomoka Nishiyama Jo-Ō]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
33. "Nishiyama ga Jo-Ō Rokurenpa Hatasu Shōgi Mainabi, Kai Yaburu" 西山が女王6連覇果たす 将棋マイナビ, 甲斐破る [Nishiyama defeats Kai to defend Jo-Ō title and win Shogi's Mynavi Women's Open for 6th year in a row]. Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). Kyodo News. May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
34. "Satomi Kana Joryū Gokan ga Seirei wo Bōei Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan Yaburu" 里見香奈女流五冠が清麗を防衛 西山朋佳女流三冠破る [Women's professional 5-crown Kana Satomi defeats Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama to defend Seirei title]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
35. "Shōgi･Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Ōshō, Nirenshō de Bōei ni Seikō" 将棋･西山女流王将, 2連勝で防衛に成功 [Women's Ōshō Nishiyama successfully defends title 2 games to none]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
36. "Nishiyama Tomoka Jo-Ō･Joryū Meijin･Joryū Ōshō ga Joryū Godan ni Shodan" 西山朋佳女王･女流名人･女流王将が女流五段に昇段 [Women's Mejin, Women's Ōshō and Jo-Ō Tomoka Nishiyama promoted to Women's professional 5-dan] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
37. Seto, Kanon (October 28, 2023). "Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Meijin ga Hakurei wo Dasshu Ninenburi Joryū Yonkan ni Kaerizaki Satomi Kana Hakurei wo Taosu" 西山朋佳女流名人が白玲を奪取 2年ぶり女流四冠に返り咲き 里見香奈白玲を倒す [Women's Meijin title holder Tomoka Nishiyama defeats Hakurei title holder Kana Satomi to recapture Hakurei title and return to 4-crown titleholder status for the first time in two years.]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). Retrieved November 1, 2023.
38. Kurosaki, Mai (November 18, 2023). "Satomi ga Kurashiki Tōka Kyūrenpa Taitoru Bōei" 里見が倉敷藤花9連覇 タイトル防衛 [Satomi defends title; wins Kurashiki Tōka Cup for the ninth consecutive time]. San'in Chūō Shimpō (in Japanese). Retrieved November 22, 2023.
39. "｢Fukuma Kana｣ de Joryū Meijin ni Fukui! Nihiyama Tomoka Joryū Meijin wo Yabutte Sankiburi Dasshu" ｢福間香奈｣で女流名人に復位! 西山朋佳女流名人を破って3期ぶり奪還 ["Kana Fukuma" recaptures Women's Meijin title! Defeats reigning Women's Meijin Tomoka Nishiyama 3 games to 1 to regain the title after losing it three years ago.]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). February 25, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
40. "Shōgi Mynabi Joshi, Nishiyama ga Nanarenpa Chōsensha no Ōshima Joryū Nidan Kudasu" 将棋マイナビ女子, 西山が7連覇 挑戦者の大島女流二段下す [Nishiyama defeates women's professional 2-dan Ōshima to win shogi's Mynavi Women's Open for the seventh consecutive year]. Tokyo Shimbun (in Japanese). May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
41. "Shōgi no Hakureisen ga Enki, Nishiyama Tomoka Hakurei ga Korona Kansen" 将棋の白玲戦が延期, 西山朋佳白玲がコロナ感染 [Shogi's Hakurei Title Match Game 4 postponed due to Tomoka Nishiyama Hakurei being diagnosed with COVID-19]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). September 27, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
42. "Fukuma wa Fusenpai, Nishiyama ga Hatsubōei Shōgi Hakureisen de Kecchaku, Taichōfuryō" 福間は不戦敗, 西山が初防衛 将棋白玲戦で決着, 体調不良 [Fukuma forfeits game to allow Nishiyama to defend Hakurei title for the first time, the deciding factor in Shogi's Hakurei title match was Fukuma's poor heath]. Chūnichi Shimbun (in Japanese). October 25, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
43. "Shōgi Joryū Ōshō Daisankyoku Chōsensha ga Taichōfuryō de Fusenpai Bōei Kimaru" 将棋 女流王将戦第3局 挑戦者が体調不良で不戦敗 防衛決まる [Challenger forfeits shogi's Women's Ōshō Game 3 due to poor health to decide match outcome]. NHK News Web (in Japanese). October 29, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
44. "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Nishiyama Tomoka Shōdan Rireki" 女流棋士データベース: 西山朋佳 昇段履歴 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomoka Nishiyama Promotion History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
45. "Joryū Kishi Dētabēsu: Nishiyama Tomoka Taitoru Rireki" 女流棋士データベース: 西山朋佳 タイトル履歴 [Women's Professional Shogi Player Database: Tomoka Nishiyama Major Title History] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
46. "Shōgi Taishō, Saiyūshūkishishō ni Watanabe Sankan...Nikaime" 将棋大賞, 最優秀棋士賞に渡辺明三冠...2回目 [Shogi Annual Awards: Watanabe 3-crown wins "Player of the year" for the second time.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). April 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
47. "Dai Yonjūhakkai Shōgi Taishō Jushōsha no Oshirase" 第48回将棋大賞受賞者のお知らせ [48th Annual Shogi Awards Winners] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
48. "Dai Yonjūkūkai Shōgi Taishō Jushōsha no Oshirase" 第49回将棋大賞受賞者のお知らせ [49th Annual Shogi Awards Winners] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
49. "Daigojūkai Shōgi Taishō Saiyūshūkishishō ni Shijō Sainenshō Rokkan no Fujii Sōta Ōshō wo Sannen Renzoku de Senshutsu" 第50回将棋大賞 最優秀棋士賞に史上最年少6冠の藤井聡太王将を3年連続で選出 [50th Annual Shogi Awards: Sota Fujii Osho, the youngest 6-crown title holder in history, selected 'Player of the Year' for the third year in a row]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
50. "Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan, Kishi Hennyūshiken Juken e" 西山朋佳女流三冠, 棋士編入試験受験へ [Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nihiyama to take Professional Admission Test] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. August 9, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
51. "Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan, Kishi Hennyūshiken wo Juken e Josei Futarime" 西山朋佳女流三冠, 棋士編入試験を受験へ 女性2人目 [Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nihiyama becomes 2nd woman to qualify for the Professional Admission Test]. The Nikkei (in Japanese). July 4, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
52. "Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan, Kishi Hennyūshiken no Daiichikyoku wa Kugatsu Tooka...Dainikyoku wa Jūgatsu Futsuka" 西山朋佳女流三冠, 棋士編入試験の第1局は9月10日...第2局は10月2日 [The first two games of women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama's Professional Admission Test will take place on September 10 and October 2.]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). August 9, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
53. "Ōsaka Shusshin Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan ga Puro Kishi Hennyūshiken no Shosen wo Shiroboshi" 大阪出身 西山朋佳女流三冠がプロ棋士編入試験の初戦を白星 [Osaka native women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama wins Game 1 of her Professional Admission Test]. NHK News Web (in Japanese). September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
54. "Josei Hatsu no Shōgi Kishi Mezasu Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan, Dainikyoku wa Otosu ... Gonichikanmae ni Korona Kansen" 女性初の将棋棋士目指す西山朋佳女流三冠, 第2局は落とす...5日前にコロナ感染 [Women's professional 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama drops Game 2 of her attempt to become the first female regular shogi professional; five days earlier, she was diagnosed with COVID-19]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
55. "Hyūrikkuhai Daiyonki Hakureisen Nanabanshōbu Daiyonkyoku to Genchi Ibento Chūshi ni Tsuite" ヒューリック杯第4期白玲戦七番勝負第4局延期と現地イベント中止について [Regarding the postponement of Game 4 of the Hulic Cup 4th Hakurei best-of-seven match and associated local events] (in Japanese). Japan Shogi Association. September 27, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
56. "Shōgi Nishiyama Joryū Sankan Puro Hennyūshiken Gobanshōbu Daisankyoku de Yabure Atonakunaru" 将棋 西山女流三冠 プロ編入五番勝負第3局で敗れあとなくなる [Women's shogi professional 3-crown Nishiyama loses Game 3 of her best-of-five Professional Admission Test which leaves her one loss from failing the test]. NHK News Web (in Japanese). November 8, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
57. "Shōgi･Nishiyama Tomoka Joryū Sankan ga Josei Hatsu Puro Kishi ni Ato Isshō! Miyajima Kenta Yondan wo Yaburi Nishō Nihai de Saishūkyoku e" 将棋･西山朋佳女流三冠が女性初プロ棋士にあと1勝! 宮嶋健太四段を破り2勝2敗で最終局へ [Women's 3-crown Tomoka Nishiyama defeats Kenta Miyajima 4-dan to win her second game in Professional Admission Test and go into the last game of the test needing only one win to become the first female to be awarded regular professional shogi player status.]. Sports Hochi (in Japanese). December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.

External links

• Tomoka Nishiyama on Twitter