Match between two famous players. Left is Honinbo Shusai, right is Go Seigen. (Game record of the famous match here)

This article gives an overview of well-known professional and amateur players of the board game Go throughout the ages. The page has been divided into sections based on the era in which the Go players played and the country in which they played. As this was not necessarily their country of birth, a flag of that country precedes every player's name. For a complete list of player articles, see Category:Go players.

The important dates that this separation is based on are:

A Japanese census on Go players performed in 2002 estimates that over 24 million people worldwide play Go,[1] most of whom live in Asia. Most of the players listed on this article are professionals, though some top level amateurs have been included. Players famous for achievements outside Go are listed in their own section.

Prior to 17th century

Wei Qi was recorded throughout the history of China. The first record of Wei Qi player was by Mencius.

China

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
Yi Qiu (弈秋)circa 350 BCEGuoshouFirst recorded Wei Qi player. He was commonly known as Qiu (秋) the Wei Qi player (Yi 弈, which is the original name of Wei Qi). He was a native of the state Qi 齊 and mentioned by Mencius (372 BC – 289 BC) in 《孟子·告子章句上》: 今夫弈之为数,小数也。不专心致志,则不得也。弈秋,通国之善弈者也。使弈秋诲二人弈,其一人专心致志,惟弈秋之为听;一人虽听之,一心以为有鸿鹄将至,思援弓缴而射之,虽与俱学,弗若之矣! He was called "通国之善弈者", literally "the finest Yi player of the whole state", i.e. Guoshou.
Yan Wu (嚴武)circa 200 CE – 250 CEQishen, 1 pin/品Scholar name Zi Qin子卿 Son of Wu Minister Yan Jun 嚴畯. Mentioned in The Record of Wu 《吴录》:“严武字子卿,卫尉畯再从子也,围棋莫与为辈。”
Ma Lang (馬朗)200 CE – 250 CEQishen, 1 pin/品Scholar name Su Ming 綏明, same time as Yan Wu.
Wang Kang (王抗)circa 424 CE – 483 CEGuoshou, 1 pin/品Member of the famous Wang clan of Lan Xie County, recorded in History of the Southern Dynasties 《南史·萧思话传》.
Fan Ning'er (范宁儿)circa 424 CE – 483 CEGuoshou, 1 pin/品Member of the delegates of Northern Wei to Southern Qi, he played a Wei Qi match against Wang Kang under the order of Southern Qi's Wu Emperor Xiao Ze(齊武帝蕭賾, reign 482 CE – 493 CE), and won the match (recorded in <<北史·魏书·蒋少游传>>.
Fan Ning'er (范宁儿)circa 424 CE – 483 CEGuoshou, 1 pin/品Member of the delegates of Northern Wei to Southern Qi, he played a Wei Qi match against Wang Kang under the order of Southern Qi's Wu Emperor Xiao Ze(齊武帝蕭賾, reign 482 CE – 493 CE), and won the match (recorded in <<北史·魏书·蒋少游传>>.
Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝萧衍)464 CE – 549 CEGuoshou, yi pin/逸品 (super strong 1 pin)Emperor Wu of Southern Liang dynasty, personal name Xiao Yan, was a member of the Xiao clan of Lang Ning and founder of the Southern Liang dynasty. His reign was 502 CE – 549 CE), famous for his Wei Qi skill, he was recorded in his bibliography as yi pin (strong 1 pin) by later historian in 《梁书·武帝纪》.

17th through 19th centuries

In the 17th, 18th and 19th century, Go was popular in both Japan (Edo period) and China (period of the Qing dynasty). In Korea, a Go variant called Sunjang baduk was played.[2]

Japan

At the start of the Tokugawa Shogunate, four Go academies were established. This table lists all heads of these houses, as well as some that were appointed heir but died before they became head of the house. Tokugawa also established the post of Godokoro (minister of Go), which was awarded to the strongest player of a generation. Such players were dubbed Meijin (brilliant man), which was considered equal to a 9 dan professional grade.[3] Over the 300-year period covered here, only ten players received the title of Meijin. Several other players (16 total) received the title of Jun-Meijin (half-Meijin), which is considered to equal an 8 dan professional grade and listed as such below. In some houses it was the custom that the head of the house was always named the same according to the iemoto system (家元). All heads of the house Inoue (井上) were named Inseki (因碩), heads of the house Yasui (安井 ) were named Senkaku (仙角) from the 4th head onward, and heads of the house Hayashi (林) were named Monnyu (門入) from the second head onward. To distinguish between these players, the names listed below are the names they had before becoming head of their house, or after their retirement. The house Honinbo (本因坊) had no such tradition, although heads would often take one character from the name of their predecessor into their own name, notably the character Shu (秀) from the 14th head onward.

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank* Notes
JapanHoninbo Sansa (本因坊算砂)1559–1623Meijin, 9 danFounder and first head of the house Honinbo.
JapanNakamura Doseki (中村道碩)1582–1630Meijin, 9 danRetrospectively seen as founder of the house Inoue.
JapanHayashi Monnyusai (林門入斎)1583–16677 or 8 danFounder and first head of the house Hayashi.
JapanYasui Santetsu (安井算哲)1589–16528 danFounder and first head of the house Yasui.
JapanInoue Genkaku (井上玄覚)1605–16737 danFirst head of the Inoue house on the unrevised numbering (not counting Nakamura Doseki).
JapanHoninbo Sanetsu (本因坊算悦)1611–16588 danSecond head of the house Honinbo, Jun-Meijin.
JapanYasui Sanchi (安井算知)1617–1703Meijin, 9 danSecond head of the house Yasui.
JapanHoninbo Doetsu (本因坊道悦)1636–17277 danThird head of the house Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Dosaku (本因坊道策)1645–1702Meijin, 9 danFourth head of the house Honinbo. One of the greatest players of all time, and the first Kisei (go saint); an important influence on go theory.
JapanHoninbo Doteki (本因坊道的)1669–16907 danHeir to the house Honinbo. Was considered an extremely talented Go prodigy.[4]
JapanHayashi Monnyu (林門入)1678–17196 danSecond head of the Hayashi house.
JapanHoninbo Dochi (本因坊道知)1690–1727Meijin, 9 danFifth head of the house Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Chihaku (本因坊知伯)1710–17336 danSixth Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Shuhaku (本因坊秀伯)1716–17416 danSeventh head of the house Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Satsugen (本因坊察元)1733–1788Meijin, 9 danNinth head of the house Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Genjo (本因坊元丈)1775–18328 danEleventh head of the house Honinbo.
JapanHoninbo Jowa (本因坊丈和)1787–18478 danWas dubbed Kisei (go sage), played the famous "Blood Vomiting Game" with Akaboshi Intetsu.
JapanOta Yuzo (太田雄蔵)1807–18567 danwas a close friend of Honinbo Shusaku and once played a famous sanjubango (30 game match) with him.
JapanIntetsu Akaboshi (赤星因徹)1810–18357 dan
JapanHoninbo Shusaku (本因坊秀策)1829–18627 danOne of the greatest players ever, he died young. He was posthumously awarded the title of Kisei (go sage).
JapanHoninbo Shuho (本因坊秀甫)1838–18868 danWas the founder of Hoensha and the man who taught Go to Oskar Korschelt.
JapanHoninbo Shuei (本因坊秀栄)1854–19079 danwas the 17th and again 19th head of the Honinbo house. Very active and innovative in the 1890s.
JapanHoninbo Shusai (本因坊秀哉)1874–19409 danwas the last and 21st head of "Honinbo" House, and founder of the Nihon Ki-in.

*All ranks are professional dan grades unless otherwise noted.

China

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
Qing dynastyGuo Wen-nian (過文年)1610s–1670sGuoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Better known by his scholar name Guo Bai-Nian 過百齡 or Guo Bo-Nian過伯齡. Ancestor of Guo Ti-sheng 過惕生(1907–1989), teacher of Nie Hui-Ping. Author of Wei Qi classic 《官子譜》,《三子譜》 and 《四子譜》.
Qing dynastyHuang Longshi (黃龍士)1650s–1690sGuoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Was considered by Go Seigen to have been at least the level of Honinbo Dosaku. He reached Guoshou* at the age of 16.梁魏今
Qing dynastyLiang Wei-Jin (梁魏今)1680s–1760sGuoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Pen name Hui Jing 會京. Native of Huaian in northern Jiangsu. Taught both Fan Xiping and Shi Shao-An.
Qing dynastyCheng Lan-Ru (程蘭如)1690–1765Guoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Native of She County 歙縣 in southern Anhui. Also known for strong Xiangqi.
Qing dynastyFan Xiping (范西屏)1709–1769Guoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Native of Haining, Zhejiang Province. Played 13 games with Shi Xiping in which 10 games survived in records, with score 5–5. Author of 《桃花泉弈譜》,《二子譜》and《四子譜》.
Qing dynastyShi Shaoan (施紹暗)1710–1769Guoshou, Qishen, 1 pin/品Better known by his scholar name Shi Xiangxia 施襄夏 and pen name Shi Ding-En 施定庵. Also Native of Haining, Zhejiang Province.

*Players could achieve the level of Guoshou (literally National Hand), which is best in the nation and ranked 1 pin 品. This title is a derivation of Mencius description of Yi Qiu (弈秋), Qiu the Yi player in 《孟子·告子章句上》: 今夫弈之为数,小数也。不专心致志,则不得也。弈秋,通国之善弈者也。使弈秋诲二人弈,其一人专心致志,惟弈秋之为听;一人虽听之,一心以为有鸿鹄将至,思援弓缴而射之,虽与俱学,弗若之矣!as being "通国之善弈者", literally the finest Yi player of the whole nation. It is considered to be equal to the Japanese title of Meijin. The term Qi Sheng (棋圣) was first mentioned by Ge Hong (葛洪) in 《抱朴子》:“棋之无敌者,则谓之棋圣。” The literal meaning is the Invincible Qi player is called the Saint of Qi (Qi Sheng). Note that both Guoshou and Qisheng were not tournament winner titles; instead they were honorific titles used by Wei Qi players and historians respectively to refer to the best players who were invincible in highest graded tournaments. Guoshou was the normal term used to refer to the promo player while he was alive, whereas Qisheng was used more as posthumous fame. The ranking of players began in West Han dynasty (2nd century BCE) and formally recognized by the Governments during the North and South Dynasties Period (3rd to 6th century CE). There were 9 ranks called pin 品 in the system, the same as the ranking system for government officials. The lowest rank was 9 pin, then 8 pin, etc. up to 1 pin. The difference of the lower 5 pin was about 1 zi (子, piece or stone), and the difference between the top 4 pin was half zi.

20th century

Japan

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
JapanKensaku Segoe (瀬越憲作)1889–19729 danwas the teacher of three of the greatest players of 20th century: Utaro Hashimoto (Japan), Go Seigen (China) and Cho Hunhyun (Korea).
JapanKaoru Iwamoto (岩本薫)1902–19999 danfounder of Iwamoto Foundation for Go promotion in foreign countries.
JapanUtaro Hashimoto (橋本宇太郎)1907–19949 danwas the founder of the Kansai Ki-in. A student of Segoe
JapanMinoru Kitani (木谷実)1909–19759 danwas a great friend and rival to Go Seigen. Go and Kitani were the co-authors of the Shinfuseki or "New Opening", a great advance in go opening theory. Most prolific teacher ever. Pupils include Masao Kato, Yoshio Ishida, Hideo Otake, Kim In, Cho Chikun, Masaki Takemiya and Koichi Kobayashi.
JapanToshihiro Shimamura (島村俊廣)1912–19919 dan
JapanDogen Handa (半田道玄)1914–19749 dan
Beiyang governmentGo Seigen (呉清源)1914–20149 danWu Qingyuan in Chinese. He is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. He had a superb match play record, before the current era dominated by annual titles. Co-author of the groundbreaking work on the opening theory, Shinfuseki.
JapanKaku Takagawa (高川格)1915–19869 danThe first of only five players to receive the Honorary Honinbo title, thus known as the 22nd Honinbo.
JapanHosai Fujisawa (藤沢朋斎)1919–19939 danone of the greatest players of the 1960s.
JapanEio Sakata (坂田栄男)1920–20109 danhis nicknames include "Razor Sakata", the "Master of myoushu" (brilliant move). He was the previous holder of most championship titles with 64 wins.
JapanMasao Sugiuchi (杉内雅男)1920–20179 dannicknamed "the God of Go" for his serious attitude towards Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanTakeo Kajiwara (梶原武雄)1923–20099 danone of the "three crows".
JapanHideyuki Fujisawa (藤沢秀行)1925–20099 danwas awarded the Honorary Kisei title after winning the Kisei 6 times in a row. Won the Oza title at the age of 67.
JapanToshiro Yamabe (山部俊郎)1926–20009 danone of the "three crows".
JapanKeizo Suzuki (鈴木圭三)1927–19453 danone of the "three crows".
JapanYasuro Kikuchi (菊池康郎)1929–20218 danis the most famous amateur go player in Japan.
JapanShuzo Ohira (大平修三)1930–19989 dan
JapanShoji Hashimoto (橋本昌二)1935–20099 danAffiliate of the Kansai Ki-In.
JapanNorio Kudo (工藤紀夫)1940–9 dancurrent president for the International Go Federation. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanKunio Ishii (石井邦生)1941–9 danteacher of Yuta Iyama.
JapanHideo Otake (大竹英雄)1942–9 danLifetime Gosei.
TaiwanRin Kaiho (林海峰)1942–9 danwas one of Go Seigen's students. Known for winning many titles at a young age. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanYasumasa Hane (羽根泰正)1944–9 danfather of Hane Naoki.
JapanKunihisa Honda (本田邦久)1945–9 dan
JapanMasao Kato (加藤正夫)1947–20049 danNicknamed "Kato the Killer", for his masterful, aggressive style.
JapanYoshio Ishida (石田芳夫)1948–9 danis the youngest ever Honinbo winner and one of the strongest players of the 1970s. TV commentator. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanShuzo Awaji (淡路修三)1949–9 danfamous for his Go school. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanMasaki Takemiya (武宮正樹)1951–9 danis famous for his 'cosmic style', aiming for territory in the center of the board rather than the sides. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanKoichi Kobayashi (小林光一)1952–9 danhas the third most titles in Japan with 57. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
South KoreaCho Chikun (조치훈, 趙治勳)1956–9 danCho Chihun in Korean, is among the best players of the 20th century. He won almost half (29 out of 60) of the biggest 3 titles (Honinbo, Kisei, and Meijin tournaments) in 1980–1999, including ten consecutive Honinbo titles for which he is accorded the title of 25th Honinbo. The first to hold all 3 at the same time and the first to have won all seven titles. Passed Sakata in late 2002 for most titles in Japan; thus far have won 70 titles. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
TaiwanO Rissei (王立誠)1958–9 danone of the first Taiwanese Go players to become a professional in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanHiroshi Yamashiro (山城宏)1958–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanSatoshi Kataoka (片岡聡)1958–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanSatoru Kobayashi (小林覚)1959–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
TaiwanO Meien (王銘琬)1961–9 danfamous for his "Meien-isms", a special way of opening a game. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
United StatesMichael Redmond (マイケル・レドモンド)1963–9 danis the only (as of February 2008) non-Asian (American) to attain rank of 9-dan. TV commentator for the Japanese network NHK. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanNorimoto Yoda (依田紀基)1966–9 danHas one of the best track records in international tournaments for Japan, having won Samsung Fire Cup and being runners-up in Ing Cup, both in 1996. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanTomoyasu Mimura (三村智保)1969–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
South KoreaCho Sonjin (조선진, 趙善津)1970–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
South KoreaRyu Shikun (류시훈, 柳時熏)1971–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanKimio Yamada (山田規三生)1972–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanSatoshi Yuki (結城聡)1972–9 danThe third youngest player to become a professional, and second youngest professional for the Kansai Ki-in. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-In.
JapanHideyuki Sakai (坂井秀至)1973–8 danWon the World Amateur Go Championship in 2000. Promoted to professional at age 28 after winning 4 of 4 "test" games against two strong professionals (2 games each against 5d and 7d). Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in.
JapanShinji Takao (高尾紳路)1976–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanNaoki Hane (羽根直樹)1976–9 danIn 2002, Hane broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanKeigo Yamashita (山下敬吾)1978–9 danHas an innovative style harking back to shinfuseki. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
TaiwanCho U (張栩)1980–9 danIn 2003, Cho U broke the record for fastest promotion to 9 dan in Nihon Ki-in history. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanRin Kono (河野臨)1981–9 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanYuta Iyama (井山裕太)1989–9 danIn 2016, became the first person to hold all seven titles at the same time. Became the youngest title holder ever in 2005 after winning the Agon Cup. Earned the right to be accorded the title of 26th Honinbo upon reaching the age of 60 or on retirement. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanDaisuke Murakawa (村川大介)1990–9 danThe youngest Kansai Ki-in pro ever. Affiliate of the Kansai Ki-in.

Women

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
JapanReiko Kobayashi (小林禮子)1939–19967 danIzumi's mother. Married to Koichi Kobayashi
JapanKikuyo Aoki (青木喜久代)1968–8 danAffiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanYukari Yoshihara (吉原由香里)1973–6 danThe Go player who supervised the production of the manga Hikaru no Go. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
JapanKaori Chinen (知念かおり)1974–6 danMarried to fellow professional go player Yo Kagen in 1997
JapanIzumi Kobayashi (小林泉美)1977–7 danMarried to Cho U
JapanKaori Aoba (青葉かおり)1978–5 danFirst professional to be defeated by a Go engine with a conventional handicap. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-in.
JapanKana Mannami (万波佳奈)1983–4 danFormer Women's Kisei
TaiwanXie Yimin (謝依旻)1989–7 danTaiwanese-born professional Go player in Japan holding the titles of Honorary Female Honinbo and Honorary Female Meijin.
JapanRina Fujisawa (藤沢里菜)1998–6 danGranddaughter of the late Honorary Kisei, Hideyuki Fujisawa.
JapanAsami Ueno (上野愛咲美)2001–4 danFormer Women's Kisei
JapanSumire Nakamura (仲邑 菫)2009–3 danYoungest pro

China

  • Note: China formally adopted dan ranking in the early 1980s. Taiwan still uses pin ranking in addition to dan ranking.
Origin Name DoB–DoD Peak rank Notes
ChinaChen Zude (陈祖德)1944–20129 danwas the chairman of Zhongguo Qiyuan from 1992 to 2003 and was former president of the association. Famous for popularizing the Chinese fuseki.
ChinaWu Songsheng (吴淞笙)1945–20079 danOne of the first three professional 9 dans in China. Dedicated international educator of Go. Honoured guest player at Hanguk Kiwon. Affiliate of Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaNie Weiping (聂卫平)1952–9 danOne of the strongest players of 1980s, he led China to victory in several team matches against Japan. Challenged for many top international titles in the late 1980s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaLiu Xiaoguang (刘小光)1960–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaCao Dayuan (曹大元)1962–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaMa Xiaochun (马晓春)1962–9 danA top player in China during the 1990s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaFeng Yun (丰云)1966–9 danSecond woman ever attain rank of 9-dan. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaQian Yuping (錢宇平)1966–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaYu Bin (俞斌)1967–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaShao Weigang (邵煒剛)1973–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaChang Hao (常昊)1976–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaZhou Heyang (周鹤洋)1976–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaLuo Xihe (罗洗河)1977–9 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaWang Lei (王磊)1978–8 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaDing Wei (丁偉)1979–8 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaHuang Yizhong (黄奕中)1981–6 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaKong Jie (孔杰)1982–9 dan3 world championship titles. One of strongest players in the World in 2000s. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaQiu Jun (邱峻)1982–8 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaTang Li (唐莉)1982–1 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaHu Yaoyu (胡耀宇)1982–8 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaGu Li (古力)1983–9 dan7 World championship titles; One of strongest players in the World in 2000s. He had exceptional record between 2008 and 2010. He lost to Lee Sedol in a Jubango match in 2014. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaXie He (谢赫)1984–5 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaLiu Xing (刘星)1984–6 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaWang Xi (王檄)1984–6 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaPiao Wenyao (朴文堯)1988–5 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaChen Yaoye (陳耀燁)1989–9 danYoungest professional 9 dan at 17 years of age. Affiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaLi Zhe (李喆)1989–4 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.
ChinaZhou Ruiyang (周睿羊)1991–5 danAffiliate of the Zhongguo Qiyuan.

Korea

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
South KoreaCho Nam-chul (조남철, 趙南哲)1923–20069 danFounder of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaKang Cheol-min (강철민, 姜哲民)1939–20028 dan
South KoreaKim In (김인, 金寅)1943–20219 danStrongest player in Korea during 1960s and early 1970s. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaHa Chan-seok (하찬석, 河燦錫)1948–20108 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaJimmy Cha (차민수, 車敏洙)1951–4 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaCho Hun-hyun (조훈현, 曺薰鉉)1953–9 danThe strongest Go player in South Korea during the 1970s and 1980s before the period of dominance by his student Lee Chang-ho. The winner of 11 World titles, including the inaugural edition of the quadrennial Ing Cup in 1989. Last won a World title at the age of 49, at 2003 Samsung Fire Cup. Holder of the most titles by a professional player. Also holder of the most consecutive title defense, winning the Paewang title 16 times in-a-row.
South KoreaSeo Bong-soo (서봉수, 徐奉洙)1953–9 danwas Cho Hunhyun's biggest rival in the '80s. Known for his long list of runner up titles. Won 9 matches in a row in 1997 Jinro Cup to win the title for Korea. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
ChinaJiang Zhujiu (장주주, 江鑄久)1962–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
ChinaRui Naiwei (루이나이웨이, 芮乃伟)1963–9 danFirst woman to attain rank of 9-dan and widely considered to be the strongest female player of all time, also won the open Guksu title in 1999. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaYoo Chang-hyuk (유창혁, 劉昌赫)1966–9 dan6 time world champion, one of the strongest players of 1990s. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaJanice Kim1969–3 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaLee Chang-ho (이창호, 李昌鎬)1975–9 danConsidered one of the greatest players of all time, he was the strongest player in the world between 1993 and 2005. The student of Cho Hunhyun, he is also credited with expanding the understanding for the endgame. He won record 21 world championships since 1992, the last world title being the 2007 Zhonghuan Cup. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaChoi Myung-hoon (최명훈, 崔明勳)1975–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaAn Cho-young (안조영, 安祚永)1979–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaMok Jin-seok (목진석, 睦鎭碩)1980–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaCho Han-seung (조한승, 趙漢乘)1982–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaLee Se-dol (이세돌; 李世乭)1983–9 danConsidered the strongest player in the world after Lee Chang-ho's reign. He beat Gu Li in a Jubango match in 2014. He obtained 18 world championship titles between 2002 and 2015. Played against Google DeepMind's AlphaGo in AlphaGo versus Lee Sedol match in 2016. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaPark Jung-sang (박정상, 朴正祥)1984–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaHong Min-pyo (홍민표, 洪旼杓)1984–5 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaPark Seung-hyun (박승현, 朴昇賢)1984–4 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaChoi Cheol-han (최철한, 崔哲澣)1985–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaPak Yeong-hun (박영훈, 朴永訓)1985–9 danA young and established Korean go professional. He reached 9 dan after 5 years, making him the youngest Korean 9 dan professional ever. 3 time world champion. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaKim Dong-hee (김동희, 金東熙)1985–2 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaWon Seong-jin (원성진, 元晟溱)1985–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaSong Tae-kon (송태곤, 宋泰坤)1986–9 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaHeo Young-ho (허영호, 許映皓)1986–5 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaKo Geuntae (고근태, 高根台)1987–5 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaYun Jun-sang (윤준상, 尹畯相)1987–6 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
South KoreaKang Dong-yun (강동윤, 姜東潤)1989–8 danAffiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.

Taiwan

  • Note: Taiwan still uses pin ranking in addition to dan ranking.
Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
TaiwanZhou Junxun (周俊勳)1980–9 dan, 1 pinAffiliate of the Taiwan Qiyuan.
TaiwanLin Zhihan (林至涵)1980–9 danAffiliate of the Taiwan Qiyuan.
TaiwanChen Shien (陳詩淵)1985–7 danAffiliate of the Taiwan Qiyuan.
TaiwanAustraliaJoanne Missingham1994–7 danAustralian-born Taiwanese professional Go player

United States

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
 United StatesJanice Kim1969–3pAmerican professional Go player, author, and business-owner
 United StatesMichael Redmond1963–9 danFirst Westerner to reach 9 dan

Europe

Origin Name DOB–DOD Peak rank Notes
AustriaManfred Wimmer1944–19952pBorn in Austria, became the first western Go professional in 1978, doing so with the Kansai Ki-in. Reached 2p the same year, and later brought Go to Kenya and Madagascar.
GermanyHans Reinhard Pietsch1968–20036pKnown for spreading Go around the world.
RomaniaCatalin Taranu1973–5pOne of Romania's best players and a pro in Japan. Affiliate of the Nihon Ki-In.
RussiaAlexandre Dinerchtein1980–3pThe first Russian professional Go player. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
RussiaSvetlana Shikshina1980–3pThe first Russian professional Go player among Alexandre Dinerchtein. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
HungaryDiana Koszegi1983–1pThe first Hungarian professional Go player. Affiliate of the Hanguk Kiwon.
UkraineMariya Zakharchenko1995–1pthe first professional player of Ukraine.
SlovakiaLisy Pavol1995–2pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player, European Champion, 5 times Slovak Go Champion.
IsraelAli Jabarin1993–2pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player, 2016 European Go Grand-Slam Champion, 2018 European Grand-Prix Champion.
PolandMateusz Surma1995–2pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player, 3 times Polish Go Champion.
RussiaIlya Shikshin1990–4pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player, Two times European Go Champion, 2 times Under 12 European Youth Champion, 2 times Under 18 European Youth Champion.
UkraineArtem Kachanovskyi1992–2pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player.
UkraineAndrii Kravets1990–1pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player. European U12 Champion (2002), 2 times Ukrainian Champion (2012, 2015), European Champion (2023).
FinlandAntti Törmänen1989–1pAntti Törmänen is a Finnish 1p with Nihon Kiin. He was an insei at the Nihon Ki-in, Tokyo from October 2011 to May 2012 and again from April 2014. He finished the Winter 2015 pro exam with over 50% win rate, which qualified him for Foreign National Pro slot
FranceTanguy Le Calvé1995–1pEuropean Go Federation Professional Player.

See also

References

  1. "Census of Go players worldwide (in Japanese)". Archived from the original on 17 December 2002.
  2. John Fairbairn. "Historic: Sunjang Go". Archived from the original on 5 March 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2007.
  3. Sensei's Library. "Historic Meijins". Retrieved 28 June 2007.
  4. Sensei's Library. "Ogawa Doteki". Retrieved 28 June 2007.
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