“Annual Awards” 2024 Recipients

We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Annual Awards as follows.

For more details about the Annual Awards system, please visit the page below.

Award Categories of the Annual Awards System

 

Best Player Award: IM Thanh Tu Tran

Reason for Award:

At the Chess Olympiad 2024 held in September, he played as the first board of the Japan Open Team, achieving an impressive record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw against GMs, and a perfect 4 wins against IMs, significantly leading the team. Additionally, as an individual achievement, he secured a GM norm—the first by a Japanese player in 18 years—and also obtained the IM title.

 

Comment from the Awardee:

I am truly honored to receive the Best Player Award. I am delighted that my contributions to the team during the Chess Olympiad, as well as my personal achievements of earning a GM norm and the IM title, have been recognized. Moving forward, I will continue to strive for excellence and dedicate myself to the growth and development of chess in Japan.

 

Most Games Played Award: Mr. Yoshiaki Yokota

Reason for Award:

Actively participated in rated games, regardless of whether they were organized by the federation or clubs, and played the highest number of national standard rated games in the year, totaling 113 games.

 

Comment from the Awardee:

I am deeply honored to receive the Most Games Played Award for 2024. I do not believe this achievement is solely the result of my own efforts. For a game to take place, an opponent is, of course, necessary. Furthermore, it is only with the support of arbiters, tournament directors, and many others that a game is made possible. With each game I played, I felt more strongly that without the support of those around me, the game would not be able to take place. In other words, I feel that this award is truly a shared achievement with all those who have participated in my games. I hope to continue playing with all of you, and I will use this award as motivation. Thank you very much.

 

Best Arbiter Award: FA Yuta Abe

Reason for Award:

In addition to serving as the Chief Arbiter for the two of the three major national tournaments, the Japan Championship in May and the Japan Open in November, where he continuously worked to ensure fair play and smooth tournament operations, he also made significant contributions to the establishment and management of the NA system and worked diligently in fostering the development of future generations.

 

Comment from the Awardee:

I am truly honored to have been selected for this award, especially as the first-ever recipient. Organizing chess tournaments and events serves as the backbone of the chess community in Japan, and I recognize that developing this infrastructure is one of the key challenges we face. The establishment of the National Arbiter system is one approach to addressing this issue, and I appreciate the recognition of my work as an arbiter and my involvement in launching this system. I hope to continue contributing to the development of the chess community in Japan through infrastructure improvement.

 

Best Club Award: Nagoya Chess Club

Reason for Award:

Not only did the club hold regular monthly meetings, but it also organized multiple rated tournaments, including several FIDE-rated events, consistently providing playing opportunities for many players throughout the year. These efforts were recognized, and the club received the highest number of votes in a mutual voting process among club leaders.

 

Comment from the Awardee:

We are truly honored to receive the prestigious “Best Club Award.” It feels like just yesterday that our predecessor organization was established, crossing the significant milestone of 50 years in 2018. We believe that the ongoing efforts to carry on the traditions of regular meetings and tournaments, which were passed down from the previous generation, have been highly valued. This award is a result of the constant support from our club members and the participation and support from everyone involved in our tournaments. We are deeply grateful. Going forward, we will continue to promote and develop chess in the local community and beyond, working diligently in our club activities. We look forward to your continued support and encouragement.

 

Recognition

Each award recipient will receive a commemorative gift.