The World Cup dominated the professional chess circuit in 1988-89. It took place in six stages over six different venues including (in chronological order) Brussels, Belgium; Belfort, France; Reykjavik, Iceland; Barcelona, Spain; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Skelleftea, Sweden. Twenty-five of the world's top grandmasters entered the tournament, including Kasparov, Karpov, Timman, Tal, Short, Ljubojevic, and Salov. Points were awarded according to a Grand Prix system (link to chess glossary) to determine overall placing.

Kasparov opted to skip the first event of the tournament at Brussels in order to better prepare for the Belfort match. Karpov took advantage of the world champion's absence by winning the Brussels match, garnering 27_ points toward the championship in the process. Kasparov made his World Cup debut at Belfort, where he won five games in a row and took first place by a margin of 11_ to 10_ over Karpov. The two rivals would not play each other again until the last event of the tournament in Skelleftea.

Kasparov won the next match, held in Reykjavik, putting himself in an excellent position going into the fourth event to be held in Barcelona. An outright win in Spain would clinch the entire tournament for Kasparov after only four stages -- an impressive accomplishment against such formidable competition. But it was not to be. Although Kasparov did manage a victory against the legendary Spassky for the first time in his career, he finished the Barcelona match tied for first place with Ljubojevic. Although he didn't win tournament crown in Barcelona, it was now well within Kasparov's reach.

By the time the final event of the tournament began in Skelleftea, Kasparov led the rest of the field by a wide margin. The second-place Karpov, who had fallen apart at the close of the Rotterdam event, needed to make up seven points to catch Kasparov in Skelleftea - a feat almost unattainable considering the extraordinary level of competition. Kasparov led throughout the final match and cruised to finish line to become the first World Cup champion.