Key Facts
• On July 5, 2025, the 66th Oi Title Match began in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture.
• Challenger Takuya Nagase (32) faces reigning champion Sota Fujii (22).
• Pre-match event on July 4 featured idol Natsuki Kamata, a known shogi enthusiast.
• Kamata asked both players about their sense of time during matches.
• Fujii noted his perception of time often differs from actual elapsed time.
• To manage this, Fujii uses a digital clock during matches.
• Nagase described his experience as “melting time” during deep thought.
• Fans reacted with comments like “time warps around shogi players” and “fascinating insight.”
• The event highlighted the unique mental processes of top shogi players.
Summary
The 66th Oi Title Match between Sota Fujii and Takuya Nagase began on July 5, 2025, in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. A pre-match event featured idol Natsuki Kamata, who questioned the players about their time perception during matches. Fujii revealed that his sense of time often diverges from reality, prompting him to use a digital clock for better awareness. Nagase described his experience as “melting time,” a sentiment Fujii agreed with. Fans were captivated by these insights, with many commenting on the seemingly altered perception of time around shogi players. The event offered a rare glimpse into the mental processes of elite players.
