Makoto Chūza

Makoto Chūza (中座 真) is a Japanese retired professional shogi player who achieved the rank of 8-dan.

Early life and apprenticehip
Chūza was born in Wakkanai, Hokkaido on February 3, 1970. He was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū in November 1981 under the tutelage of shogi professional Yūji Sase, was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in 1988, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in April 1996.

Shogi professional
In May 2024, the JSA posted on its official website that Chūza had submitted his retirement papers and would be retiring from professional shogi for personal reasons upon completion his last official game for the 2024-2025 shogi season. Chūza's retirement became official on June 19, 2024, after he lost his 37th Ryūō Group 4 game to Hirotaka Nozuki. Chūza finished his career with a record of 413 wins and 427 losses for a winning percentage of 0.492.

Theoretical contributions
The Side Pawn Capture variation Chūza's Rook (中座飛車 Chūza hisha, also known the R-85 variation 横歩取り8五飛), which became a very popular strategy, is named after him.

Promotion history
The promotion history for Chūza is as follows:
 * 6-kyū: 1981
 * 1-dan: 1988
 * 4-dan: April 1, 1996
 * 5-dan: August 17, 2001
 * 6-dan: April 11, 2007
 * 7-dan: September 20, 2007
 * 8-dan: April 1, 2024
 * Retired: June 19, 2024

Awards and honors
Chūza received the Japan Shogi Association's Masuda Award for his "Chūza's Rook" opening variation in 1998.

Personal life
Chuza is married to retired female shogi professional Akiko Nakakura. The couple married in November 2003, and have three children.