In the play-off to decide the challenger to Iyama Yuta, held at the Nihon Ki-in on 20 September 2012, Kono Rin 9p (W) defeats Anzai Nobuaki 6p by resignation and will play for Tengen title match. Kono is a pupil of Kobayashi Koichi. He won Tengen title in 2005 beating Yamashita Keigo and defended the title in 2007 which was the third year in a row that Kono had defeated Yamashita in this title.
The first game of the 38th of Tengen title match will be played on 5 November 2012 in Hokaido.
Iyama Yuta who gets four crowns (Honinbo, Tengen, Gosei and Judan) becomes the challenger to Cho U for Oza title. In the play-off to decide the challenger to Cho U, held at the Nihon Ki-in Osaka branch on 13 September 2012, Iyama (B) defeats Hane Noki 9p by resignation. He will play for Oza title match for his first time. The first game of the 60th of Oza title match will be played on 25th October 2012 in Taiwan.
Please be informed that Kobayashi Koichi 9p now names Honorary Kisei, Meijin and Gosei upon his attainment of 60 years old on 10 September 2012.
He is one of pupils of the legendary go school of Kitani Minoru. He got 59 titles, which ranks third in total amount of titles in Japan.
To get awarded and name honorary title by full filling one of the following requirements:
| A) |
Winning a title 10 times in a row |
| |
Or |
| B) |
Upon the attainment of sixty years of age or his/her retirement with winning a title 5 times in a row or 10 times in total |
Kobayashi Koichi's titles for Kisei, Meijin and Gosei:
-Kisei (8 times) 1986–1993
-Meijin (8 times) 1985, 1988–1994
-Gosei (9 times) 1988–1993, 1999,2001–2002
The Nihon Kiin Summer Go School only for the people from abroad was held from 27 August and 5 September 2012 for its first time. Despite such a short notice, 14 players from all over the world participated in the special school to improve their skills and to experience the culture of go in Japan. All students were greatly pleased with the Summer School and requested us to hold the event next year as well.
