Sota Fujii, Japan's youngest professional shogi player, blitzed a quick-play tournament on Saturday, defeating a field of much more experienced players that included master Yoshiharu Habu, holder of one of the most prestigious titles in the traditional game of Japanese-style chess.
At the finals of the Asahi Cup tournament in Tokyo, Fujii, 15, beat Akihito Hirose, earning him an instant promotion to sixth dan from fifth. That made him the youngest player in shogi history to win both a championship and elevation to sixth dan.
Fujii toppled 47-year-old Habu during the semifinals, bringing down one of the most talented players in the game's history.