Masao KatoHonorary Oza (加藤 正夫, Katō Masao, March 15, 1947 – December 30, 2004), also known as Kato Kensei (加藤剱正 Katō Kensei), was a Japanese professional goplayer. A late bloomer,[1] Kato won 46 titles, including the Oza eight times in a row.[2] He also became the second player to reach 1,200 career wins, behind Rin Kaiho.[3]
Kato is the author of The Chinese Opening: The Sure-Win Strategy (published in English by Kiseido Publishing Company) and Kato's Attack and Kill (published by Ishi Press).
Kato joined Kitani Minoru's go dojo in 1959, quickly becoming friends with Ishida Yoshio. The two became sparring partners and kept a close relationship up until Kato's death. In 1964, Kato passed the pro exam at age seventeen. Along with Takemiya Masaki and Ishida, the trio became known as the three crows of the Kitani dojo. Kato began qualifying for tournaments early on in his professional career. He made the Honinbo league in 1968 as a 4 dan, a feat unheard of at the time. Kato was unable to progress past the group stages and was relegated. However, he challenged title holder Rin Kaiho the following year, losing four games to two.[4]
He was known as the "Killer" for his attacking style. During a Honinbo league match in 1970, Kato forced 22nd HoninboTakagawa Kaku to resign after 93 moves.[5] For the early part of his career, Kato was known as the eternal runner-up. He finished runner-up eight times before winning his first titles, the Gosei and Judan, in 1976.[4] Kato went on to win 46 total titles, fourth most in Japan behind Cho Chikun, Sakata Eio and Kobayashi Koichi.[2] At one point, Kato held four of the top 7 titles: Meijin, Oza, Judan and Gosei.[3]
Later life and deathedit
Kato was elected president of the Nihon Ki-in and International Go Federation in early 2004. Under his lead, he eliminated the Oteai, instead introducing new rules to help deal with rank inflation that had occurred over the years. He also increased komi from 5.5 points to 6.5 points and shortened thinking time. Later in the year, Kato fell ill and was hospitalized. He underwent a successful operation on 10 December, but his condition worsened a few weeks later. Kato died on 30 December 2004.[6]
masao, kato, japanese, weightlifter, weightlifter, honorary, 加藤, 正夫, katō, masao, march, 1947, december, 2004, also, known, kato, kensei, 加藤剱正, katō, kensei, japanese, professional, player, late, bloomer, kato, titles, including, eight, times, also, became, se. For the Japanese weightlifter see Masao Kato weightlifter Masao Kato Honorary Oza 加藤 正夫 Katō Masao March 15 1947 December 30 2004 also known as Kato Kensei 加藤剱正 Katō Kensei was a Japanese professional go player A late bloomer 1 Kato won 46 titles including the Oza eight times in a row 2 He also became the second player to reach 1 200 career wins behind Rin Kaiho 3 Masao KatoNicknameThe KillerKanji加藤正夫Born15 March 1947Asakura Fukuoka JapanDied30 December 2004 2004 12 30 aged 57 TeacherMinoru KitaniPupilYukari YoshiharaRank9 danKato is the author of The Chinese Opening The Sure Win Strategy published in English by Kiseido Publishing Company and Kato s Attack and Kill published by Ishi Press Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and Killer Kato 1959 2003 1 2 Later life and death 2 Promotion record 3 Titles and runners up 4 Bibliography 5 References 6 External linksBiography editEarly life and Killer Kato 1959 2003 edit Kato joined Kitani Minoru s go dojo in 1959 quickly becoming friends with Ishida Yoshio The two became sparring partners and kept a close relationship up until Kato s death In 1964 Kato passed the pro exam at age seventeen Along with Takemiya Masaki and Ishida the trio became known as the three crows of the Kitani dojo Kato began qualifying for tournaments early on in his professional career He made the Honinbo league in 1968 as a 4 dan a feat unheard of at the time Kato was unable to progress past the group stages and was relegated However he challenged title holder Rin Kaiho the following year losing four games to two 4 He was known as the Killer for his attacking style During a Honinbo league match in 1970 Kato forced 22nd Honinbo Takagawa Kaku to resign after 93 moves 5 For the early part of his career Kato was known as the eternal runner up He finished runner up eight times before winning his first titles the Gosei and Judan in 1976 4 Kato went on to win 46 total titles fourth most in Japan behind Cho Chikun Sakata Eio and Kobayashi Koichi 2 At one point Kato held four of the top 7 titles Meijin Oza Judan and Gosei 3 Later life and death edit Kato was elected president of the Nihon Ki in and International Go Federation in early 2004 Under his lead he eliminated the Oteai instead introducing new rules to help deal with rank inflation that had occurred over the years He also increased komi from 5 5 points to 6 5 points and shortened thinking time Later in the year Kato fell ill and was hospitalized He underwent a successful operation on 10 December but his condition worsened a few weeks later Kato died on 30 December 2004 6 Promotion record editRank Year Notes1 dan 19642 dan 19643 dan 19654 dan 19665 dan 19676 dan 19697 dan 19718 dan 19739 dan 1978Titles and runners up editRanks 5 in total number of titles in Japan DomesticTitle Wins Runners upKisei 4 1978 1988 1991 1993 Meijin 2 1986 1987 2 1981 1988 Honinbo 4 1977 1979 2002 5 1969 1980 1995 1997 2003 Tengen 4 1978 1981 2 1982 1991 Oza 11 1979 1980 1982 1989 1993 3 1981 1990 1994 Judan 7 1976 1979 1983 1987 1997 4 1980 1984 1988 1998 Gosei 3 1976 1977 1987 4 1978 1981 1984 1988 Agon Cup 3 1995 1996 2003 1 1997 Ryusei 2 1998 2001 NHK Cup 1 1988 3 1974 1993 1994 NEC Cup 3 1990 1991 1996 3 1992 1999 2000 Nihon Ki in Championship 1 1974 Kakusei 4 1980 1986 1995 1996 4 1993 1997 1999 Hayago Championship 2 1988 1994 5 1980 1984 1989 1998 1999 Asahi Pro Best Ten 2 1970 1975 Shin Ei 1 1975 Prime Minister Cup 1 1973 Dai ichi 1 1971 Total 46 46ContinentalChina Japan Agon Cup 1 2003 Total 0 1 2 Bibliography editKato s Attack and Kill ISBN 978 4 87187 027 6 The Chinese Opening ISBN 4 906574 33 5References edit Kato Masao gobase org Retrieved 17 June 2011 a b c Kato Masao 9p gogameworld com Retrieved 17 June 2011 a b SPECIAL EDITION KATO MASAO 9P DEAD AT 57 usgo org 30 December 2004 Archived from the original on 18 March 2012 Retrieved 17 June 2011 a b Ishida Yoshio Kato Masao at the Kitani Dojo gogod co uk Retrieved 17 June 2011 SGF of Kato Masao v Takagawa Kaku gobase org Retrieved 17 June 2011 permanent dead link In memoriam Kato Masao 1947 2004 nihonkiin org jp Archived from the original on 19 March 2012 Retrieved 17 June 2011 External links editKato Masao at gobase org lists some of his victories and over a thousand game records in SGF format Preceded byMatsuo Toshimitsu President of the International Go Federation2004 2005 Succeeded byNorio Kudo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Masao Kato amp oldid 1086370828, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
