Career
He has two older brothers, Shiho Yamada and Wakio Yamada. Yamada began playing Go at the beginning of his school career. Two years later, he became a pupil of Yorimoto Yamashita, who adjudged Yamada to be a 6 dan amateur at the time.
He was often praised for his extensive studying and deep reading.
Yamada became a professional in 1989. In his first year as a professional, Yamada scored a record of 23 wins and six losses.
lieutenant was at that time the nickname, "King of Cool", was bestowed upon him by Go journalist John Fairbarn. He defeated title-holder Ryu Shikun three to one to claim his first major title, but then lost the title the following year to O Rissei.
In 1999, Yamada reached the semi-finals of the challenger tournament for the Oza.
He was invited to participate in the 1st Chunlan Cup in 1998. In 1999, Yamada reached the semi-finals of the Samsung Cup, losing to Lee Chang-ho by resignation. The following year Yamada reached the finals, but lost again to another Korean player, Yoo Changhyuk, three to one.
In the first round of the main tournament, Yamada defeated Hiroyuki Hiroe.
In the second round, Yamada faced the previous Kisei runner-up, Norimoto Yoda, and lost. While challenging for the Kisei title, Yamada reached the final of the 8th Ryusei in 1999, defeating Michihiro Morita.
At the end of 1999, Yamada finished 8th in the top prize winners with ¥23,627,000. Yamada was a part of the Japanese team at the 1st Nongshim Cup in 2000.
He was eliminated in his only game against Chang Hao.
In May 2000, Yamada was promoted to 8 daughter Yamada finished 15th in most prize money for 2001 with ¥12,919,960. In 2004, Yamada reached the finals of the Gosei tournament, his first major title challenge in six years.
Yamada was the first player to be promoted from 8 dan to 9 dan for cumulative victories in 2006.
He challenged for the Honinbo title that same year, losing to Shinji Takao in six games.