Kobayashi Koichi
Kobayashi Koichi (小林光一 Kobayashi Kōichi, born 10 September 1952) is a Japanese 9-dan professional.
Kobayashi was born in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He is one of the few Go players to have won 1,200 professional games. One of the most successful pupils of the legendary go school of Kitani Minoru. Well known for his rivalry in the 1980s and 90s with another Kitani pupil, Cho Chikun. He was married to Kitani's daughter Kobayashi Reiko, who was a 6 dan professional at the time of her death in 1996. Their daughter Kobayashi Izumi is currently a 6-dan professional. Kobayashi Koichi has had many pupils.
The English commentary book "Tournament Go 1992" called 1992 "The Year of Kobayashi." In this year it is difficult to find a title match in which Kobayashi Koichi didn't play as either holder or challenger.
Kobayashi Koichi's titles:
- Kisei 1986–1993
- Meijin 1985, 1988–1994
- Judan 1984–1986, 1999–2000
- Tengen 1976, 1985–1986, 1998–1999
- Gosei 1988–1993, 1999
- NEC Cup 1995, 1999
- NHK Cup 1986, 2004
- Fujitsu Cup 1997
- Japan - China Meijin matches winner: 1988–1991, 1993
valerio: In 1992 Kobayashi set a record still unbeaten, playing in six title matches for a big title in one year; he failed to qualify only for the Tengen (in the challenger's final he lost to Yamashiro Hiroshi).
2011 TEDx seeds talk
TEDx seeds talk 2
Kobayashi Koichi's Pupils
Source: 1996 Kido Yearbook