Kimio Yamada

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]