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Kimio Yamada (山田 規三生, Yamada Kimio, born 9 September 1972) is a professional Go player.[1] A territorial player who is adept at invading and living within opponent's spheres of influence,[2] Yamada won his first major title, the Oza, in 1997.[1] He has two older brothers, Shiho Yamada and Wakio Yamada.[3]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Japan | ||
| Asian Games | ||
 | 2010 Guangzhou | Men's Team |
Yamada began playing Go at the beginning of his school career. Two years later, he became a pupil of Yorimoto Yamashita, who adjudged Yamada to be a 6 dan amateur at the time. He was often praised for his extensive studying and deep reading. Yamada became a professional in 1989. In his first year as a professional, Yamada scored a record of 23 wins and six losses.[4]
Yamada won the "New Player Award" in 1992 and won his first title, the Shin-Ei, in 1993. He was also winner of the top Oteai section that same year.[3] Yamada won another young players tournament, the Shinjin-O, in 1997.[5] He continued at a winning rate of 80% – including an 18-game winning streak, for which he won an award – up until his first major title challenge: the Oza in 1997.[1] It was at that time the nickname, "King of Cool", was bestowed upon him by Go journalist John Fairbarn.[4]
He defeated title-holder Ryu Shikun three to one to claim his first major title, but then lost the title the following year to O Rissei.[6][7] In 1999, Yamada reached the semi-finals of the challenger tournament for the Oza.[8] He was invited to participate in the 1st Chunlan Cup in 1998.[9][10] In 1999, Yamada reached the semi-finals of the Samsung Cup, losing to Lee Chang-ho by resignation.[4] The following year Yamada reached the finals, but lost again to another Korean player, Yoo Changhyuk, three to one.[11]
Yamada won the 7 dan division of the 23rd Kisei tournament when he defeated Naoki Hane on 22 April 1999.[12] In the first round of the main tournament, Yamada defeated Hiroyuki Hiroe. In the second round, Yamada faced the previous Kisei runner-up, Norimoto Yoda, and lost.[13] While challenging for the Kisei title, Yamada reached the final of the 8th Ryusei in 1999, defeating Michihiro Morita.[14] At the end of 1999, Yamada finished 8th in the top prize winners with ¥23,627,000.[15] Yamada was a part of the Japanese team at the 1st Nongshim Cup in 2000. He was eliminated in his only game against Chang Hao.[16] In May 2000, Yamada was promoted to 8 dan.[17]
Yamada finished 15th in most prize money for 2001 with ¥12,919,960.[18] In 2003, Yamada won the award for most consecutive victories with 18. He won his 600th career game in 2004, the third fastest ever at 15 years and 6 months.[1] Three years later, Yamada won his 700th game, becoming the second fastest to reach 700 wins.[19] In 2004, Yamada reached the finals of the Gosei tournament, his first major title challenge in six years.[20] Yamada was the first player to be promoted from 8 dan to 9 dan for cumulative victories in 2006.[21] He challenged for the Honinbo title that same year, losing to Shinji Takao in six games.[22] Yamada challenged for the Oza title twice more in 2009 and 2010, losing both times to title holder Cho U.[5] He won the NHK Cup in 2010.[1]
- 1989: 23–6
- 1990: 23–6
- 1991: 39–5
- 1992: 35–10
- 1993: 39–9
- 1994: 40–10
- 1995: 40–14
- 1996: 40–12
- 1997: 47–11 (most wins in Japan)
- 1998: 47–19
- 1999: 21–18[4]
- 2000: 39–20[23]
- 2001: 38–15[18]
- 2002: 32–13 (through 4 October 2002)[24]
- 2004: 33–21[25]
- 2006: 35–23[26]
- 2007: 33–18[27]
- 2008: 31–18[28]
- 2009: 29–20[29]
- 2010: 25–25[30]
- 2011: 17–3 (as of 26 June 2011)[31]
| Domestic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Wins | Runners-up |
| Honinbo | 1 (2006) | |
| Oza | 1 (1997) | 3 (1998, 2009, 2010) |
| Gosei | 1 (2004) | |
| Ryusei | 1 (1999) | 1 (2004) |
| NHK Cup | 1 (2010) | |
| Shinjin-O | 1 (1997) | |
| Hayago Championship | 1 (1994) | |
| NEC Shun-Ei | 1 (1996) | |
| Shin-Ei | 2 (1993, 1998) | |
| Total | 6 | 8 |
| International | ||
| Samsung Cup | 1 (2000) | |
| Total | 0 | 1 |
| Career total | ||
| Total | 6 | 9 |
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