Overview
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Chess follows an international chess championship that becomes entangled in political intrigue and personal conflicts. The story begins in Bangkok, where arrogant American champion Freddie Trumper faces Soviet master Anatoly Sergievsky. Florence Vassy, Freddie’s second and longtime confidante, grows weary of his erratic behavior and finds herself drawn to Anatoly, who is equally disillusioned with the manipulative forces controlling his life. As their romance blossoms, Anatoly makes a shocking decision—defecting to the West. With tensions escalating, Freddie spirals further into self-destruction, while Soviet officials scheme to regain control over their star player.
Months later, the competition resumes in Budapest, where Anatoly, now living in exile, is pressured to return to the Soviet Union. Florence, still by his side, learns that her long-lost father may be alive, but the revelation is part of a cruel deception orchestrated to force Anatoly’s surrender. Meanwhile, Freddie, revitalized and more mature, seizes his chance for redemption. Under immense pressure, Anatoly throws the final game, allowing Freddie to claim victory, and returns to the USSR. As he and Florence share a heartbreaking goodbye, she discovers the devastating truth—her father was never found, and she has been used as a pawn in the Cold War’s relentless game.
Show Information
- Music
- Benny Andersson , Björn Ulvaeus
- Lyrics
- Tim Rice
- Libretto
- Tim Rice
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Chess (1986 London Version)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1988
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Budapest, Thailand, JFK Airport, 1956-1980s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Optional
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Chess has a complex and fascinating history, evolving through various productions and interpretations over several decades. Originally conceived in the late 1970s, the musical was the brainchild of Tim Rice, who sought to create a dramatic piece inspired by the intense rivalries of Cold War-era chess competitions. Rice, a renowned lyricist known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, envisioned a story that went beyond the game itself,
to read the context for Chess and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The Broadway production of Chess opens with a gripping new prologue set during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. Amidst the chaos of gunfire and destruction, Gregor Vassy desperately tries to distract his young daughter, Florence, by telling her the ancient origins of the game of chess. As the violence escalates, Florence is whisked away to safety, leaving her family behind in the turmoil. (Prologue / The Story of Chess)
Jumping forward 32 years, the scene shifts to a press
to read the plot for Chess and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- “Prologue” – Gregor
- “Freddie’s Entrance” – Freddie
- “Press Conference” – Reporters, Florence
- “Where I Want To Be” – Anatoly
- “Where I Want To Be Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Argument” – Florence, Freddie
- “Merchandisers” – Walter, Ensemble
- “Diplomats” – Molokov, Americans, Russians
- “Opening 1st Game” – Orchestra
- “Chess #1” – Orchestra
- “Quartet” – Molokov, Florence, Anatoly, Arbiter
- “After Quartet” – Orchestra
- “Florence” – Florence, Freddie
- “Someone Else's Story” – Florence
- “Golden Bangkok” – Orchestra
- “One Night in Bangkok” – Freddie, Ensemble
- “Bangkok Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Terrace Duet” – Florence, Anatoly
- “Chess #2” – Orchestra
- “Florence Quits” – Freddie, Florence
- “A Taste of Pity” – Freddie
- “Nobody's Side” – Florence, Ensemble
- “Nobody's Side Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Defection” – Orchestra
- “Defection Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Reports” – Reporters
- “Anthem” – Anatoly
Act Two
- “Prologue” – Orchestra
- “Hungarian Folk Song” – Ensemble
- “Hungarian Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Heaven Help My Heart” – Florence
- “Heaven Help My Heart Playoff” – Orchestra
- “Winning” – Walter, Freddie
- “You And I” – Florence, Anatoly, Svetlana
- “Freddie Goes Metal” – Freddie
- “Chess Underscore” – Orchestra
- “Let's Work Together” – Molotov, Walter
- “Let's Work Playoff” – Orchestra
- “I Know Him So Well” – Florence, Svetlana
- “Going Into Freddy's Pity Room” – Orchestra
- “Pity the Child” – Freddie
- “Budapest Streets” – Orchestra
- “Father's Lullaby” – Father, Florence
- “Endgame” – Arbiter, Merchandiser, Nikolai, Ben, Freddie, Anatoly, Ensemble
- “Endgame Conclusion” – Orchestra
- “You And I Reprise” – Anatoly, Florence
- “Finale” – Florence
- “Exit Music” – Orchestra
- “The Arbiter's Song” – Arbiter, Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher