February 1976
Posted By:
Keith Arnold
Posted On: 2026-02-28T11:00:00Z
February 1st heard the pealing of wedding bells, as Takemiya Masaki married the daughter of a senior Kitani disciple. Ishida Yoshio acted as best man and match maker.
Also on the 1st, the North America Hon'inbō was decided over the telephone. Takao Matsuda, Eastern Champion, defended his title against Thomas Hsiang the Western Champion. The West was successful in the Kyu Championship, Donald McCarter defeating Gerald Goldine.
The busy go weekend continued with the New Jersey Open. Larry Brauner was the surprise champion, dispatching an impressive array of East Coast starts - Matsuda, Ryder, Ishikawa, Tanei, Gonshor and Hodis.
On February 5, Chō Chikun 7d won the third decisive game of the Top Eight Players Tournament, over veteran Fujisawa Shūkō. Ōtake Meijin participated in the review at board side, while Yamabe Toshirō looked on from the doorway.
A celebration of the founding of the new Kisei tournament was held at the Yomiuri Hall on February 25.
Katō Masao 8d defeated Chō on February 26, earning the right to challenge Ōtake for the Gosei title. Katō had made many headlines in recent years but had yet to win a title.
Rin Kaihō won the 8th Hayago Championship over Sakata Eio on February 28.
Photos from Kidō Yearbook.