Koichi Kobayashi

Koichi Kobayashi (小林 光一, Kobayashi Kōichi, born September 10, 1952) is a Japanese Go player. He is one of the 'Six Supers' who championed Japanese Go in the last three decades of Japanese Go.

Koichi Kobayashi
Full nameKoichi Kobayashi
Kanji小林光一
Born (1952-09-10) September 10, 1952
Asahikawa City, Japan
ResidenceTokyo, Japan
TeacherKitani Minoru
Turned pro1967
Rank9 dan
AffiliationNihon Ki-in

Biography

Koichi Kobayashi was born in Asahikawa, Japan. In 1965, he came to Tokyo to be a disciple of the legendary Minoru Kitani.[1] He studied along with Cho Chikun, Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, and Masaki Takemiya. He went on to marry the daughter of his teacher, Reiko Kitani (1939–1996), a 6-dan who has won the All-Japan Women's Championship several times.[2] Together they had a daughter, Izumi Kobayashi, who is now one of the leading female Go players in Japan. Kobayashi is one of the few Go players who have won more than 1,200 professional games. Kobayashi's rivalry with Cho Chikun has continued for some time and they frequently play against each other.

Career

Two years after joining Kitani Minoru's dojo, Kobayashi was promoted to be a 1-dan professional. His first tournament victory came from the 4th Shin Ei in 1972. In 1976, he won his first major title, Tengen.

Promotion record

Rank Year Notes
1 dan 1967
2 dan 1967
3 dan 1968
4 dan 1969
5 dan 1970
6 dan 1972
7 dan 1974
8 dan 1977
9 dan 1979

Titles and runners-up

Kobayashi is Honorary Kisei, Honorary Meijin and Honorary Gosei. He ranks #3 in the total number of titles in Japan.

Domestic
TitleWinsRunners-up
Kisei8 (1986–1993)2 (1994, 1999)
Meijin8 (1985, 1988–1994)3 (1986, 1995, 1997)
Honinbo4 (1982, 1990, 1991, 1992)
Tengen6 (1976, 1984–1986, 1998, 1999)5 (1981, 1987, 1990, 1995, 2000)
Oza2 (1985, 1992)
Judan5 (1984–1986, 1999, 2000)4 (1987, 1992, 1994, 2001)
Gosei9 (1988–1993, 1999, 2001, 2002)3 (1994, 2000, 2003)
Agon Cup1 (1999)1 (2004)
Ryusei3 (1997, 2002, 2003)
NHK Cup2 (1986, 2004)1 (1997)
Shinjin-O2 (1976, 1977)
NEC Cup3 (1995, 1999, 2004)
Daiwa Cup1 (2008)
Kakusei3 (1994, 1997, 2001)2 (1987, 2002)
Hayago Championship4 (1972, 1981, 1986, 1997)5 (1982, 1983, 1985, 2000, 2001)
Shin-Ei2 (1972, 1975)2 (1974, 1979)
Prime Minister Cup3 (1972, 1974, 1976)
Total5935
International
Fujitsu Cup1 (1997)1 (1995)
Total11
Continental
China-Japan Meijin5 (1988–1991, 1993)2 (1992, 1994)
China-Japan Tengen1 (2000)1 (1999)
China-Japan Agon Cup1 (1999)
Total73
Career total
Total6739

References

  1. -, TEDx Seeds. "Koichi KOBAYASHI Professional Igo Player". TEDx Seeds. TEDx Seeds. Retrieved 5 May 2017.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. "Kitani Reiko". Retrieved 14 March 2010.
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