Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 18 - Chapter Pr1

  Nigiri

He told me that there are players in the Shogi world who have skills that go beyond just playing Shogi.

“For example, handicap matches.”

We were in the tatami room of that two-bedroom apartment I remember so well.

I was playing a practice match against Master on a gorgeous 8-and-a-half inch thick Shogi board that stuck out like a sore thumb in that plain and simple room.

Just as we did every day back then.

“Pros always give you a handicap but take the first move in instructional matches, yeah? Some people who aren’t all that impressive in an even match become monsters when they’re down a few pieces. They’re better off that way, even.”

“I don’t get it!”

“Right? But they exist.”

He explained it to me at one point.

Since the higher player has to play with fewer pieces, they have no choice but to find ways to fill their piece stands with better pieces.

Basically, they constantly aim for good trades.

But playing that way is considered lame since most professional players want to win a match with one single move at the end. That’s why players who can play lame, gritty Shogi while waiting for a chance to counterattack are incredibly strong in handicap matches ……

“…… Or so they say.”

“I still don’t get it!”

“Uh-huh.”

Master softly smiled.

He never flashed a confident smile or laughed from the pit of his stomach. It was like he was never sure of himself …… But I love that soft smile of his.

“But the one I can’t wrap my head around is nigiri!”

“Nigiri?”

“You don’t know?

“…… Like sushi?”

“Well, the grip part is the same.”

Master gathered up all the pieces scattered around the board and put them back in the piece box.

“But this involves gripping pieces instead of rice. First, you stick your hand into the box like this―――”

Then Master pulled out a fistful of pieces with his right hand and spread them out on the board.

“There! I’ll make a Shogi puzzle using only these pieces!”

“Uwhaaa?!”

“And… no thinking time. It’s all on the spot. In the whole Shogi world, I’d say there’s …… three people who can do it, maybe? It’s one heck of a crowd pleaser.”

“The ultimate party trick ……”

Back then, I was a beginner who barely knew the difference between professional Shogi players and Women’s League players.

But since I had learned to play Shogi with Shogi puzzles, I knew that some of them were categorized as nigiri.

It never dawned on me that they were made like that, though ……

“I saw Chairman Tsukimitsu make a nigiri puzzle in person. I had a front row seat because I was working as his assistant during a New Year’s party a while back.”

“W-Was it on TV ……?”

“The chairman said it’s not easy to do at all. First, he said he had to spend a month getting mentally ready for it.”

“Oh, wow!”

“Once he shifted his mind from typical match Shogi to nigiri, his head had to be completely clear on the day of the party—as in: he couldn’t think about anything else. He told me, point blank and dejected, whenever I do this, my winning percentage plummets. That’s why―――”

“Master.”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll try it.”

I can still remember the shock on his face.

Not just shock at all the pieces I grabbed or the different kinds.

But also―――at the puzzle I made.

“Two Golds, one Knight, a Lance, Pawn, Pawn, Pawn, Pawn ………… Okay.”

It took about fifteen seconds or so to make.

I mean, I had it worked out in my head by the time I finished counting the pieces.

“I’m done.”

“What do you mean you’re done? How …… could ……………”

Master clearly had his doubts when he saw where I put down the pieces.

Slowly but surely, though, his eyes grew serious.

That was probably the first time I saw him make that face―――

Master looked up from the board and said in a scary voice, “Ai.”

Then he slipped on the glasses he only wears when a match really matters to check the puzzle one more time before slapping the pieces off the board.

He then said this:

“Never do nigiri in front of anyone again. I forbid you …… Understood?”