| The Twelfth International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition | |
| Venue: | National Philharmonic, Warsaw |
| Holder Label: | Winner |
| Holder: | not awarded |
| Previous: | 11th |
| Main: | Chopin Competition |
| Next: | 13th |
The XII International Chopin Piano Competition (Polish: XII Międzynarodowy Konkurs Pianistyczny im. Fryderyka Chopina) was held from 1 to 20 October 1990 in Warsaw. For the first time in the history of the competition, the first prize was not awarded.[1]
The competition consisted of three stages and a final. For the first time in the history of the competition, there was no winner. Musicologist recalled: "The 12th Competition passed without any manifestations of great admiration and without any great controversy. Youngsters did not choose their idols, and the favourites failed to ignite people’s imagination. One was hard pressed to notice any of the feverishly sparkling eyes that one remembered from previous competitions. No one in the audience fainted from emotion; if anyone, only a pianist."[1]
The following prizes were awarded:[1]
| Prize | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| not awarded | ||
| Kevin Kenner |  United States | |
 Japan | ||
| 4th |  Italy | |
| 5th | Anna Malikova | |
| Japan | ||
| 6th | Caroline Sageman |  France |
| Hiroshi Arimori | Japan | |
| Philippe Giusiano | France | |
| Koji Oikawa | Japan | |
| Kyoko Tabe | Japan | |
Three special prizes were awarded:
| Special prize | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Performance of a Concerto | not awarded | |
| Best Performance of Mazurkas | not awarded | |
| Best Performance of a Polonaise | Kevin Kenner | United States |
 Poland | ||
The jury consisted of:[1]
Ryszard Bakst Halina Czerny-Stefańska (IV)
Jan Ekier (chairman) Leon Fleisher Lidia Grychtołówna Barbara Hesse-Bukowska (IV) Andrzej Jasiński Hiroko Nakamura Piotr Paleczny Bernard Ringeissen Maria Tipo
(vice chairman) Tadeusz Żmudziński