Masao Kato

Masao Kato (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 at Nihon Ki-in and former president of the International Go Federation. He won 46 titles,The total number of titles that he won is behind Eio Sakata including the Oza (王座, King) eight times in a row. He also became the 2nd player to reach 1,200 career wins.

Notable titles

DomesticTitle  Wins  Runners-up Kisei (棋聖, Board Master)   Challenged 4 times to the defending champion (1978, 1988, 1991, 1993)  Meijin (名人, Grand Master, hosted by Asahi Shinbun) 2 (1986, 1987)  2 (1981, 1988) Honinbo (本因坊)  4 (1977–1979, 2002)  5 (1969, 1980, 1995, 1997, 2003) Tengen (天元, Center)  4 (1978–1981)  2 (1982, 1991) OzaKato holds the honorary Oza title  11 (1979, 1980, 1982–1989, 1993)  3 (1981, 1990, 1994) Judan (10-dan)  7 (1976–1979, 1983, 1987, 1997)  4 (1980, 1984, 1988, 1998) Gosei　(碁聖, Master of Go)  3 (1976, 1977, 1987)  4 (1978, 1981, 1984, 1988) Agon CupThis tournament allows top amateur players to participate. (阿含杯)  3 (1995, 1996, 2003)  1 (1997) Ryusei (竜星, dragon star)  2 (1998, 2001)  NHK Cup  1 (1988)  3 (1974, 1993, 1994) NEC Cup  3 (1990, 1991, 1996)  3 (1992, 1999, 2000)Continental China-Japan Agon CupThis is an exhibition match between the Japanese Agon Cup champion and the mainland Chinese Agon Cup champion   1 (2003) 

Books
Kato's Attack and Kill 
The Chinese Opening 

References

Other websites
Kato Masao at gobase.org - lists some of his victories and over a thousand-game records.

Category:2004 deaths
Category:1947 births
Category:Japanese Go players