title: Masakazu Kondō
text: # Masakazu Kondō
  
  Masakazu Kondō (近藤 正和, Kondō Masakazu, May 31, 1971)is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 7-dan. He is known for developing the set of Cheerful Central Rook openings.
  
  ## Early life
  
  Kondō was born on May 31, 1971, in Kashiwazaki, Niigata. He entered the Japan Shogi Association's apprentice school in 1983 at the rank of 6-kyū under the guidance of shogi professional Yasuo Harada [ja] . He was promoted to the rank of 1-dan in 1987, and obtained full professional status and the rank of 4-dan in October 1996.
  
  ## Promotion history
  
  Kondō's promotion history is as follows:
  
  * 6-kyū: 1983
  * 1-dan: 1987
  * 4-dan: October 1, 1996
  * 5-dan: September 12, 2001
  * 6-dan: July 19, 2007
  * 7-dan: May 20, 2021
  
  ## Awards and honors
  
  Kondō received the Japan Shogi Association the Masuda Award for 2001 as well as the Annual Shogi Awards for "Best Winning Percentage" and "Most Consecutive Games Won" for 2004.
  
  