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. His two elder brothers Yamada Wakio and Yamada Shiho are also professional Go players.
MindZine article on Yamada Kimio
Promotion record:
1d: 1989
2d: 1989
3d: 1990
4d: 1991
5d: 1992
6d: 1993
7d: 1995
8d: 2000
9d: 2006