Yamada Kimio

Yamada Kimio (山田 規三生, born 9 September 1972) is a Japanese 9-dan professional.

Yamada won the Oza title in 1997, and challenged Takao Shinji for the Honinbo in 2006. He reached the final of the 5th Samsung Cup in 2000, but lost to Yu Ch'ang-hyeok. In 2006 he became the first player to earn promotion to 9-dan through two hundred cumulative wins as an 8-dan, in the Nihon Ki-in new promotion system. In 2010 he challenged Cho U for the second time in a row. His two elder brothers Yamada Wakio and Yamada Shiho are also professional Go players.

Nihon Ki-in profile

Titles

• 1993: 23th Shin Ei
• 1997: 9th Shinjin O
• 1997: 45th Oza
• 1998: 28th Shin Ei
• 1999: 8th Ryusei
• 2011: 58th NHK Cup

In his career Yamada reached 600 wins in 2004 and, defeating Imamura Toshiya 9 dan, 700 wins in 2007-11-01 (29th player of the Nihon Kiin, with the best percentage of 71,6% and setting a new speed record of 18 years and 7 months since turning professional).

Promotion Record

1d: 1989
2d: 1989
3d: 1990
4d: 1991
5d: 1992
6d: 1993
7d: 1995
8d: 2000
9d: 2006

Books

• A collection of 10 of his games from 1997 to 2010, annotated by him, published in MYCOM's wakari yasui go series.
• Selected Readings for Dan-level Players series includes a game collection of his.
• He is also a noted composer and published many tsumego books.

9x9 games

Yamada has been a regular participant in the Minigo games broadcast on Yomiuri TV, and was one of the most successful players in this series, playing 56 games and winning 80%. See discussion.

Pictures

aoki kikuyo yamada kimio 1997 (Image credit: Foxwq.com)