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Koichi Kobayashi

Koichi Kobayashi
Full name Koichi Kobayashi
Kanji 小林光一
Born September 10, 1952
Asahikawa City, Japan
Teacher Kitani Minoru
Turned pro 1967
Rank 9 dan
Affiliation Nihon Ki-in

Koichi Kobayashi (小林 光一 Kobayashi Kōichi, born September 10, 1952) is a Japanese Go player.

Biography

Koichi Kobayashi was born in Asahikawa, Japan. He was one of the more famous disciples of the legendary Minoru Kitani, studying along with Cho Chikun, Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, and Masaki Takemiya. He would go on and marry the daughter of his teacher, Reiko Kitani (1939-1996), a 6-dan who has won the All-Japan Women's Championship several times. 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.

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 total amount of titles in Japan.

Domestic
Title Wins Runners-up
Kisei 8 (1986-1993) 2 (1994, 1999)
Meijin 8 (1985, 1988-1994) 3 (1986, 1995, 1997)
Honinbo 4 (1982, 1990, 1991, 1992)
Tengen 6 (1976, 1984-1986, 1998, 1999) 5 (1981, 1987, 1990, 1995, 2000)
Oza 2 (1985, 1992)
Judan 5 (1984-1986, 1999, 2000) 4 (1987, 1992, 1994, 2001)
Gosei 9 (1988-1993, 1999, 2001, 2002) 3 (1994, 2000, 2003)
Agon Cup 1 (1999) 1 (2004)
Ryusei 3 (1997, 2002, 2003)
NHK Cup 2 (1986, 2004) 1 (1997)
Shinjin-O 2 (1976, 1977)
NEC Cup 3 (1995, 1999, 2004)
Daiwa Cup 1 (2008)
Kakusei 3 (1994, 1997, 2001) 2 (1987, 2002)
Hayago Championship 4 (1972, 1981, 1986, 1997) 5 (1982, 1983, 1985, 2000, 2001)
Shin-Ei 2 (1972, 1975) 2 (1974, 1979)
Prime Minister Cup 3 (1972, 1974, 1976)
Total 59 35
International
Fujitsu Cup 1 (1997) 1 (1995)
Total 1 1
Continental
China-Japan Meijin 5 (1988-1991, 1993) 2 (1992, 1994)
China-Japan Tengen 1 (2000) 1 (1999)
China-Japan Agon Cup 1 (1999)
Total 7 3
Career total
Total 67 39
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