Kai Shimada

Kai Shimada (島田 開 Shimada Kai) is a professional shogi player of rank 8-dan. When Kiriyama first encountered him, he noticed that Shimada had no notable strengths or weaknesses in shogi.

Shimada is very kind to his fellow shogi players and tries to help them improve their game. He runs a study group consisting of himself, Kiriyama, Nikaidou, and Shigeta.

He was born in rural Yamagata, and the people in his hometown strongly support him and want him to win the Meijin title.