[1] A territorial player who is adept at invading and living within opponent's spheres of influence,[2] Yamada won his first major title, the Oza, in 1997.
Two years later, he became a pupil of Yorimoto Yamashita, who adjudged Yamada to be a 6 dan amateur at the time.
[9][10] In 1999, Yamada reached the semi-finals of the Samsung Cup, losing to Lee Chang-ho by resignation.
[4] The following year Yamada reached the finals, but lost again to another Korean player, Yoo Changhyuk, three to one.
[11] Yamada won the 7 dan division of the 23rd Kisei tournament when he defeated Naoki Hane on 22 April 1999.
In the second round, Yamada faced the previous Kisei runner-up, Norimoto Yoda, and lost.
[13] While challenging for the Kisei title, Yamada reached the final of the 8th Ryusei in 1999, defeating Michihiro Morita.