Kenjirō Abe

Kenjirō Abe (阿部 健治郎, Abe Kenjirō, born February 25, 1989) is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan.

Abe was born in Sakata, Yamagata on February 25, 1989. He learned how to play shogi when he was five years old from watching his father and older brother play each other. As a junior high school student, Abe finished runner-up in the Boy's Division of the 22st All-Japan Junior High School Student Invitational Shogi Tournament [ja] in 2001 and later that same year entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of shogi professional Kazuyoshi Nishimura [ja].

Abe obtained professional status and the rank of 4-dan on October 1, 2009, after finishing second the 45th 3-dan League (April 2009 – September 2009) with a record of 13 wins and 5 losses.

In October 2010. Abe won his first tournament since turning professional when he defeated amateur player Hakuyo Kaku2 games to 1 to win the 41st Shinjin-Ō [ja].

Abe's promotion history is as follows:

• 2002, September 25: 6-kyū
• 2009, October 1: 4-dan
• 2011, November 1: 5-dan
• 2015, November 5: 6-dan
• 2016, April 22: 7-dan

Abe has yet to appear in a major title match, but he has won one non-major title championship.

Abe received the Japan Shogi Association Annual Shogi Award for"Special Game of the Year" for the 2015 Shogi Year for his game against Yoshiharu Habu in the challenger tournament for the 41st Kiō title.