Tetsuya Kiyonari

2.1. Birth and Childhood

Tetsuya Kiyonari was born on November 27, 1961, in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. He was introduced to the game of Go around the age of four or five, learning from his father, who was an accomplished amateur Go player.

2.2. Training and Professional Development

Kiyonari's path to becoming a professional player began in his second year of junior high school when he became an apprentice (内弟子_uchideshi^Japanese) to Kuraishi Shozo (8-dan), a professional Go player from the same region. Following this apprenticeship, he joined the Kansai Ki-in as an `insei` (院生_insei^Japanese, a student aspiring to become a professional). His dedication and talent led to his official professional debut in 1976.

3.1. Professional Debut and Promotion Record

Kiyonari officially became a professional Go player (入段_nyūdan^Japanese) in 1976. He demonstrated exceptional talent and rapid progression, culminating in his promotion to 9-dan in 1986. This achievement set a record for the fastest promotion from 1-dan to 9-dan in the history of the Kansai Ki-in, completing the ascent in just 10 years and 3 months. At one point, this was also the shortest promotion record including the Nihon Ki-in.

The following table details his professional promotion record:

3.2. Major Tournament Results

Kiyonari has a notable record in various significant Go tournaments, securing titles and reaching final stages.

3.3. Awards and Honors

For his contributions and excellence in Go, Tetsuya Kiyonari has received several awards:

• Kansai Ki-in Best Player Award (once)
• Dougen Prize (three times)
• Fields and Mountains Prize (once)
• Kansai Ki-in Best Newcomer Award (once)

3.4. Career Milestones

A significant milestone in Kiyonari's career was achieving his 1000th career win in 2021, marking a remarkable achievement in his long professional journey.

4.1. Playing Style

Kiyonari describes his own playing style as "Kame-san style" (亀さん流_{Kame-san-ryū}^Japanese, literally "turtle style"). This style is characterized by patient, solid moves that avoid haste and prioritize thickness and stability. He is particularly adept at precise endgame execution (ヨセ_yose^Japanese), often winning close games. This "unhurried play" (急がない打ち方_{isoganai uchikata}^Japanese) allows him to control the flow of the game and secure victory in subtle, detailed contests.

4.2. Notable Sayings

Reflecting on his early career, Kiyonari once stated that "when I was young, I always won half-point games." This remark highlights his confidence and skill in navigating extremely close matches, which is a hallmark of his "Kame-san style."

5.1. Educational and Mentoring Roles

Kiyonari has contributed to the education and development of Go players. He participated in the study group led by the renowned Go master Fujisawa Hideyuki. He also took part in visits to China for Go exchanges starting in 1982. In 1992, he served as an instructor for the NHK Go Lecture (NHK囲碁講座_{NHK Igo Kōza}^Japanese), a popular television program dedicated to teaching Go.

5.2. Organizational Involvement

Kiyonari has also contributed to the administration and governance of the Go world. He has served as a director for the Kansai Ki-in, the organization to which he belongs, playing a role in its management and strategic direction.

5.3. Family

Tetsuya Kiyonari's family life also reflects his deep connection to Go. His eldest son, Mao Kiyonari, has followed in his footsteps and is also a professional Go player affiliated with the Kansai Ki-in.

6.1. Authored Books

In 1993, Kiyonari authored the book Kiyonari Tetsuya's Practical Maxim Improvement Method (清成哲也の実戦に役立つ格言上達法_{Kiyonari Tetsuya no Jissen ni Yakudatsu Kakugen Jōtatsu-hō}^Japanese), published by NHK Publishing (日本放送出版協会_{Nihon Hōsō Shuppan Kyōkai}^Japanese). This book offers practical advice and strategies for improving one's Go game, likely drawing from his extensive experience and unique playing philosophy.

7.1. Assessment of Achievements

Kiyonari's most notable achievement is his record-breaking promotion to 9-dan in just 10 years and 3 months within the Kansai Ki-in, a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication from the early stages of his career. His two victories in the Kansai Ki-in First Place Championship solidify his status as a top player within his organization. Reaching 1000 career wins further underscores his longevity and consistent performance at the professional level. His "Kame-san style," emphasizing patience and precise endgame play, has made him a formidable opponent and a respected figure in the Go community, demonstrating that a steady, unhurried approach can lead to significant success. Through his competitive achievements, educational contributions, and organizational involvement, Tetsuya Kiyonari has made a lasting impact on the development and popularization of Go.