Hiroki Taniai

is a Japanese professional shogi player ranked 5-dan.

Early life and apprenticeship Taniai was born on January 6, 1994, in Chūō, Tokyo. He learned how to play shogi from his grandfather and was accepted into the Japan Shogi Association's (JSA) apprentice school at the rank of 6-kyū as a student of shogi professional Makoto Chūza in September 2006. He was promoted to the rank of apprentice professional 3-dan in 2011

Shogi professional Promotion history The promotion history for Taniai is as follows. 6-kyū: September 2006 3-dan: October 2011 4-dan: April 1, 2020 5-dan: July 10, 2025

Yoshimoto Kyogo In August 2022, Taniai entered into a talent management agreement with the Japanese entertanment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo.

Personal life Taniai is a graduate of the School of Engineering, University of Tokyo. After completeing his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in the university's Graduate School of Information Science and Technology to pursue a Ph.D in information science and engineering. He is the second alumunus and the first graduate student of the university to become a professional shogi player.