Ishii Kunio

Ishii Kunio (石井邦生, b. October 20, 1941 in Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese professional 9-dan. For many years he was considered one of the pillars of the Kansai branch of the Nihon Kiin, and is known for his 'brute force' style of fighting. He was the teacher of Iyama Yuta, for whom Ishii played more than 1,000 teaching games, and is the younger brother of Ishii Mamoru 9-dan.

Ishii became an insei in 1954 and then a pupil of Hosokawa Senjin, 8-dan, in 1956. He was promoted to 9-dan in 1978. Although he has never won any titles, he was still considered a formidable player and often participated in Japan's matches against China from the late 1970s though the 1980s. In 2008, Ishii reached his 900th win (the 16th player of the Nihon Kiin to do so). In 2013 he was runner-up in the 3rd Igo Masters Cup.

Above, Ishii plays against Lee Changho in the 14th Fujitsu Cup. Ishii won this game.

Pupils

• Cho Chien
• Iyama Yuta