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 was 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.
Kobayashi has won so many titles that listing them all would be utterly boring. If you want to get a feel for this, read the English language book "Tournament Go 1992", which contains detailed commentaries of all major title games of the 1992 Japanese go scene. It is hard to find a title game in which Kobayashi Koichi didn't play as either holder or challenger.
--Stefan
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
Kobayashi Koichi's Pupils
Source: 1996 Kido Yearbook