Funae steadily advanced through the apprentice school ranks and was promoted to 1-kyū in 2001. His progress, however, slowed at that point and he wasn't promoted to 1-dan until March 2003.[2][3] Funae was promoted to the rank 3-dan in 2006, and entered the 39th 3-dan League in April 2006. Funae's progress, however, once again slowed and he did not obtain full professional status and the corresponding rank of 4-dan until October 2010 after he finished second in the 47th 3-dan League with a record of 13 wins and 5 losses.[2][4][5]
Shogi professional
Funae's first tournament victory as a shogi professional came in 2011 when he defeated Hiroshi Miyamoto (still an apprentice professional 3-dan at the time) 2 games to 1 to win the 1st Kakogawa Seiryū Tournament [ja] for young professionals.[6]
In March–April 2013, Funae was one of five shogi professionals to play against five computer shogi programs in the 2nd Denō Match. Funae played against the program Tsutsukana [ja] and lost in 184 moves.[7] Funae played Tsutsukana once again in a "revenge match" in December 2013 and this time Funae won in 85 moves.[8]
Funae has yet to appear in a major title match, but he has won two non-major title tournaments.[12]
Tsume Shogi Solving Competition
Funae won the 7th Tsume Shogi Solving Competition in 2010 while he was still an apprentice professional 3-dan; he was the only participant to finish with a perfect score of 100.[2]