Dosaku
Japanese professional. Born 1645, died 1702.
Was head of the Honinbo school and Meijin Godokoro, hence
also named Honinbo Dosaku or Honinbo Dosaku Meijin.
Honinbo Dosaku (1645–1702)
Dosaku learned go at the age of 7, and at 22 became the 4th head of the prestigious Honinbo house. At that time, there were no players who could hold their own against him, even when they played the first move in a game. In fact, it is estimated that he was nearly two stones stronger than his nearest rivals. He was the master tactician in an era filled with strong tactical fighters, and his games are filled with spectacular sacrifices. Even today, his games are studied as examples of brilliant tactical technique. In opening strategy as well, none of his contemporaries could approach him, and he is credited with laying the foundations of modern opening theory. In 1678, at the age of 23, he was appointed to fill the highest post that a go player could rise to, Meijin and head of the godokoro, the go bureau that controlled all official matters related to go.
During his life, Dosaku had four great prodigies as his disciples. Doteki was the best of them and, at 13, was almost as strong as Dosaku himself. Unfortunately, Doteki died when he was only 21, and the others died at early ages as well.
(From http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/igo_e/021.htm)
Bill: In fact, it is copied from there.
For a more detailed biography and some games, check out the Dosaku Index on the Momoyama? site.
Dosaku's pupils included Dochi, Doteki, Sakuun, Bokunyu and Inoue Yuseki. Also Horibe Innyu.
tderz: A game played around 1670 against Yasui Chitetsu 7dan, exemplifies overconcentrated shape
http://senseis.xmp.net/?Overconcentrated, discovered by "tewari"-analysis.
A problem by Dosaku on the German site: http://www.dgob.de/lv-nrw/lv-nrw/Dosaku.html
Black captures 72 stones - can he live?
(= already somewhere on Senseis as "the biggest nakade" or so)