Suspected Shogi Player Proves Innocent

A suspected pro shogi player was released from penalty of suspension from competition. A third party committee for investigation of cheating in a title match, launched by Japan Shogi Association, concluded that they could not find a hard evidence of Hiroyuki Miura with ninth stage using computer software while he had been on a match. Artificial intelligence made so great progress that even the professionals of Japanese chess were dependant on advanced computer technology.

JSA issued a decision in October for Miura to suspend his challenge against Ryuo title, which was held by Akira Watanabe, raising a suspect of using software for shogi while he was leaving several times during a match. Opponents of Miura had been feeling odd about his behavior during matches for previous months and appealed that Miura’s moves of piece were similar to the choices of software. JSA then started investigation through third party organization.

The committee researched how Miura’s moves were close to computer’s choices. As the result, matching ratio of Miura’s move to software’s choice was not so high as that of other players. It also denied an allegation of thirty minutes of leaving seat during a match. Investigation on Miura’s smart phone or personal computers did not find any trace of cheating.

Miura has been arguing that he did nothing wrong. “I am sorry for making my supporters worried about the scandal,” said Miura in his press conference on Tuesday. “I hope the association to guarantee resumption of my status before the scandal. Although some pro players had suspect on me, I as a competitor hope to return to matches not affected by sentiment,” added Miura.

The cunning scandal was proved to be made with baseless suspect. However, if JSA leave the suspect and continue the title match for Ryuo, credibility for one of the most popular professional board game must have been seriously damaged. The committee realized that the suspension from competition was inevitable. It is necessary for the association to regain honor of Miura as soon as possible.

Computer technology on shogi is sophisticated so fast. While Miura was on the top rank of pro shogi player, he lost in a match against computer in 2013. Appalled by fast progress of computer, pro shogi players are getting skeptical about human ability. Champion of a major title is awarded tens of millions of yen. So, cunning will be serious problem hereafter.