Chess Broadway began with a new prologue set during the Hungarian uprising of 1956. Amid the smoke, gun fire and noise, Gregor Vassy tries to distract his young daughter, Florence, by telling her the origins of the game of chess. Florence is bundled up and evacuated to safety as her father and family become embroiled in heavy fighting. (Prologue / The Story of Chess)
Fast forwards 32 years to a press conference being held at the Hilton hotel in Bangkok, where Freddie Trumper the new American challenger is determined to take the world championship title from the current holder Anatoly Sergievsky. During the press conference Freddie is petulant and argumentative. When a reporter implies that Freddie is sleeping with his second – Florence Vassy, he throws a glass of water at the reporter and storms out leaving Florence to face the press reaction.(What a Scene / Press Conference)
Back in Anatoly’s hotel room he and Molokov discuss Trumper’s antics at the conference… It is implied that this is the first time Molokov has worked with Anatoly "I’m beginning to think a chess match will not be the boring assignment I had feared." It also transpires that Molokov has arranged for some investigation into the past of Florence and Trumper. It is claimed that Florence is no longer sleeping with Freddie and that she has her own room at the hotel. Anatoly becomes angry when Molokov tells him that he has arranged for the Russian ambassador to play a game of chess with him. When Molokov leaves, Anatoly questions the way his life is being manipulated by Molokov. (Where I Want To Be)
When Florence arrives back at Freddie’s hotel suite she finds Walter arranging various sponsorship deals and marketing strategies. Worried that these distractions are in danger of getting in the way of Freddie’s game she tells Walter to leave. Left on their own she and Freddie proceed to argue about Walter and his tactics, brought to an end only when Florence shows Freddie a clever move that impresses him. He is less than pleased when she tells him it was one that Anatoly managed to get out of in a previous match. (How Many Women)
At the Arena Walter Anderson has arranged a display and presentation of various Chess related merchandise and championship sponsors. He is assisted in his blatant marketing by an army of merchandisers. (Merchandisers)
In the arena the various delegates from both sides reflect on the "encouraging times" that they now find themselves. Nobody is convinced though that this new level of camaraderie does or should extend to chess. The Arbiter tries to bring focus to the event by invoking the (US vs USSR / Hymn to Chess)
Eventually the chess game begins and peace temporarily falls over the arena. Soon though Freddie has stopped the chess clock and is accusing Anatoly and the Russians of cheating by the use of coded yogurt. The accusations are fervently denied by both Anatoly and his team, but Freddie, unable to cope with not being taken seriously, and not being offered an apology, stages another walk out. (Chess #1)
The Arbiter and Molokov are infuriated by this insult to Chess and to the Russians respectively as they make their way from the arena to the Arbiter's office they lament about the damage that is being inflicted on the game. At the same time Florence and Anatoly comment on their situations. They both feel restricted by who they are forced to work for. (A Model of Decorum and Tranquillity) The Arbiter demands that a solution is reached and that both players return to the game the following day. Florence and Molokov eventually agree to get both of their players together for a meeting at a restaurant that evening.
In their hotel room Florence accuses Walter of leading Freddie astray and asks him to leave. When she tells Freddie about the meeting with Anatoly he flies into a rage and accuses her of switching sides. He uses her Hungarian background to provoke her into agreeing with his view point on the Russians. Florence is furious that he should try to unnerve her in this manner. Freddie has had enough and storms out. (You Want to Lose Your Only Friend?)
Florence begins to reflect on how her relationship with Freddie has begun to deteriorate and imagines how her life could be if she had the courage to leave him and start living her own life again. (Someone Else’s Story)
Freddie heads to the seedier parts of Bangkok and tries to forget about his frustrations with Florence by getting drunk while exploring the various bars. (One Night in Bangkok)
Florence arrives at the restaurant for the meeting, but there is no sign of Freddie, while Molokov tries to locate him (it transpires that he has somebody who has been following Freddie) she is left alone with Anatoly, though watched by KGB agents. Feeling somewhat awkward with the situation she tries to give herself some breathing space by going in search of Freddie on the terrace. Anatoly follows her and eventually they become relaxed with each other and a curious attraction begins to grow between them. In a moment of craziness they kiss. (Terrace Duet)
Freddie eventually arrives and sees them kissing. He flies into another rage and accuses Florence of betraying him. To try and pacify him Anatoly apologizes for the yogurt incident and although Freddie is not happy with anything that has happened he agrees to return to the match due to having been offered $100,000 dollars by a fan to do so. (Who’d Ever Think It?)
Freddie’s form has begun to wane and he loses a number of games. He accuses Florence for his failure and of having got exactly what she wanted. Having had enough of his childish behaviour she decides to leave him and Bangkok. (Chess #2 /So You Got What You Want - Florence Quits / A Taste of Pity)
Florence begins to pack her bags in preparation for leaving Bangkok. As she does so she is further convinced she must begin to look after number one. (Nobody’s Side)
In the underground car park of the arena we see Florence being escorted by a couple of men. Walter appears and gives Florence a letter from Anatoly. It transpires that Anatoly wants to be with Florence and that Walter has arranged for Anatoly to defect. With much screeching of brakes, slamming of car doors and sweeping headlights Anatoly is helped to escape from his soviet guards and he and Florence are rushed to the airport.
At the airport, CIA agents tempt Anatoly with the virtues of both U.S. coasts (East / West)
Ever on the lookout for publicity Walter has arranged for a few members of the press to be given access to the defecting champion. Anatoly denies being of any political organisation and that he is simply leaving Russia so he will be able to do the things he wants to do. A CIA man then ushers Anatoly and Florence to their boarding gate, as he does so the press continue to ask questions of Anatoly. As a final statement to them he tries to explain that he loves his country and that it is not Russia he is leaving but the political restrictions that have hindered him for years that have forced him to make this decision. (Anthem)
Act Act Two
Act two begins with another prologue. It is now eight weeks later and as the Arbiter arrives at Kennedy Airport in preparation for flying to Budapest for the second half of the tournament, he is accosted by the press. He promptly tells them and all onlookers how he will assert complete control on the players during the remainder of the tournament. (The Arbiter’s Song)
As the chess delegates arrive in Budapest they encounter a Hungarian choir practising for the arrival of dignitaries who are also due to arrive for a summit meeting. (Hungarian Folk Song)
While Anatoly goes off with three old friends from Moscow, who have mysteriously been given permission to leave Russia, Florence decides to explore the area of the city where her family once lived. She is looking for Prodgsy Street, but is unable to find it. She notices a cathedral and goes inside, where she encounters Molokov who offers to do some research for her in the hope of finding her old home. Alone in the cathedral she begins to wonder about the future of her relationship with Anatoly. (Heaven Help My Heart)
In his hotel room Freddie is being interviewed by a Vanity Fair reporter who tells him that Florence and Anatoly are in the same hotel. He is angered by this, but Walter asks the reporter to leave and tries to psych Freddie up by reminding him that he is a much better player than Anatoly. (No Contest)
Meanwhile Anatoly tells Florence that his wife, Svetlana, has been flown to Budapest, no doubt by Molokov. They reflect on how things are likely to become continually difficult for them. The scene quickly changes to Svetlana’s hotel room, where Anatoly has gone to see her. (You and I / You and I – Reprise)
Molokov arrives and Svetlana leaves him with Anatoly. Molokov explains how life has become difficult for Anatoly’s wife and his family and hers since his defection. She no longer has an apartment; she stays with friends and has no car. These things were Anatoly’s and have been taken away. Her brother has suddenly been told there is no room in medical school. Anatoly’s brother has been forced to leave his apartment and move to a smaller one. Lastly there is Molokov’s ‘suffering’ he has been held responsible for Anatoly’s selfish behaviour. Anatoly’s name too has been tainted and is now believed to be an embezzler back home.
As the tournament continues Anatoly’s play is affected by the stress of his wife’s presence and the trouble his family is experiencing back in Russia. Freddie wins two games in a row and brags about his achievements to the press. (Freddie Goes Metal)
Molokov meanwhile has been doing his research and has some news for Walter. As they snatch a cigarette break outside the arena, Molokov presents Walter with an intriguing proposal. Florence’s father is alleged to be still alive but she will not get to see him or have him back unless Anatoly returns to the Soviet Union. If Walter agrees to help with Molokov’s plan it seems certain that it will be to his advantage too. (Let’s Work Together)
In a restaurant, while Anatoly has gone to take a fictitious phone call, Walter discusses with Florence the possibility that her father might still be alive. She agrees that he could be and asks how she can meet this man. Molokov arrives with Svetlana and she is briefly introduced. Anatoly returns with the news that there was no call, but that he was approached by a man with the information that his nephew has had an accident, though not a serious one. Anatoly explains that the Russians want him back. This information upsets Florence and she goes to the terrace for some air. As she leaves Svetlana calls to her and asks if she can join her.
Alone they discuss the man they love and how they both want to please and understand the man he is. (I Know Him So Well)
Walter tells Anatoly about Florence’s father, which makes him feel even worse about the effects his defections have had. Now the woman he loves is being hurt by what he has done. He eventually tells Florence that he can’t think and needs a week of rest to prepare for the match. Florence agrees to request the rest period but she knows that it will be difficult to get Freddie to agree. In his hotel room Freddie is just starting a TV interview when Florence arrives to ask for the week long suspension of the game. Freddie is rude to her and refuses to agree to the week of rest. After Florence has left, Freddie begins talking about his childhood and is seen to be mentally shaken by the situation he now finds himself. (Pity the Child)
Molokov leads Florence through the streets of Budapest and eventually introduces her to an old man in a wheelchair, who she is told is her father. He speaks no English, but Molokov translates. He has a photograph which he says is of Florence and him when she was a baby. She is uncertain at first, but when the old man sings her a Lullaby, which she recognises, she seems convinced. (Apukad Eros Kezen / Lullaby)
As the beginning of the final game looms, there is great debate over whether or not Anatoly will turn up. He eventually does, but the predicament of his wife, his family and Florence leaves him with little choice but to throw the match and return to the Soviet Union. Freddie is declared the new World Chess Champion. (Endgame)
At the airport Anatoly and Florence share a final few moments together, resolved to the fact that they must be apart and yet somehow unable to completely believe that their story cannot have a happy ending. (You and I – Reprise)
Left alone, Florence is approached by Walter and receives further devastating news when he tells her that the old man she met was not her father after all. Instead of him being released, Anatoly’s return has secured the release of a CIA agent.
As her world falls apart, she realises that it’s all been a trick. She asks if Anatoly knew the man was not her father, Walter tells her that he believes Anatoly thought his return to Russia would secure the release of her father. (Anthem – Reprise)