Masao Kato

Not to be confused with Keiko Kato or Tomoko 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, 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

Domestic
Title	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)
Oza	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 Cup (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 Cup		1 (2003)

Books

• Kato's Attack and Kill ISBN 978-4-87187-027-6
• The Chinese Opening ISBN 4-906574-33-5

Other websites

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