1990 World Snooker Championship
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 13–29 April 1990 |
| Venue | Crucible Theatre |
| City | Sheffield |
| Country | England |
| Organisation | World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |
| Format | Ranking event |
| Total prize fund | £620,800 |
| Winner's share | £120,000 |
| Highest break |  John Parrott (ENG) (140) |
| Final | |
| Champion | Stephen Hendry (SCO) |
| Runner-up | Jimmy White (ENG) |
| Score | 18–12 |
← 1989 1991 → | |
The 1990 World Snooker Championship, was a professional snooker tournament that took place between 13 and 29 April 1990 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. There was a total prize fund of £620,800. Organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, it was the tenth and final ranking event of the 1989–90 snooker season and the fourteenth consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament at this location having taken place in 1977.
The defending champion was Steve Davis, who won the previous year's final 18–3 over John Parrott. Davis reached the semi-finals of the event, where he was defeated 14–16 by Jimmy White. White contested the final against Stephen Hendry, who defeated Parrott in the other semi-final 16–11. Hendry led 9–7 after the first day's play and won the first four frames of the second day to lead 13–7, before White reduced the gap to four frames. At 16–12, Hendry compiled breaks of 81 and 71 to win the match 18–12, claiming his first world title. In so doing, he became the youngest-ever world champion at the age of 21 years and 106 days. There were 18 century breaks made during the tournament, the highest of which was 140 made by Parrott.
The first four rounds of the qualifying competition were played at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool from 22 to 27 January 1990, and the fifth and final round was played at Preston Guild Hall from 26 to 27 March. From this, 16 players qualified for the main event, where they met the 16 invited seeded players. The tournament was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC, and was sponsored by the Embassy cigarette company. As champion, Hendry received £120,000 out of the total prize fund.