| 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.
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.
| 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 |
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 |