Below I hope to present a complete list and images of all the different albums and singles released from Chess, with as many details about each as I can find. For a fuller list of catalogue numbers from different territories see bottom of page. If you know anything about a release that is not mentioned, do please let me know.
Original Concept Album
The original concept album was released on 26th October 1984. It came in a gate-fold sleeve with a booklet explaining the synopsis and full lyrics. The CD was also a double box, but was later reissued in a slim case.
Airplay Promo LP
A one disc airplay sampler was released (CHESS P1) with the following track list:
Merano 4.18 / Nobody's Side 3.54 / Chess 3.30 / Mountain Duet 4.43 / Embassy Lament 1.31 / Anthem 3.02 / One Night in Bangkok 3.52 / Heaven Help My Heart 3.23 / I Know Him So Well 4.14 / Pity The Child 5.27 / You and I 4.10 (Just the first part of You and I with the cross fade into The Story of Chess being edited out and the end section of the 'reprise' edited in. The "This is an all to familiar scene..." section is not included.)
The Polar version seems to have been black and the UK version white....
Here is the edited version of You and I
12" 45 RPM Airplay Sampler
There was also a 12" 45 RPM 6 track sampler called Chess Moves. (Chess M1) with the following track list:
Side A: Nobody's Side - Remixed Version (3.45) / Pity the Child (5.29) / Anthem (3.03) Side B: One Night in Bangkok (3.54) / I Know Him So Well (4.09) You and I (4.13)
A club edition was released by a German book and record club. It was called Highlights from the Musical Chess. (RCA 63937 7) The track listing was the same as Chess Pieces - see below.
Chess Pieces
In the autumn of 1985 a highlights album - Chess Pieces was released. Track listing:
Merano (4.18 edit) / The Arbiter (4.08 new version) / Nobody's Side 3.54 / Chess (3.30 edit) / Mountain Duet 4.43 / Embassy Lament 1.31 / Anthem 3.02 / One Night In Bangkok (3.52 edit) / Heaven Help My Heart 3.23 / I Know Him So Well 4.14 / Pity the Child 5.27 / You and I / Story of Chess 10.24.
There seems to be two designs for the Chess Pieces CD. One with the same cover as the album and one with a slightly different cover and disc design.
The Deluxe Edition
To mark the 30th anniversary of the original album release in 2014 a remastered deluxe edition was released. It had three bonus tracks plus a DVD containing the five original videos plus the Magasinet Special documentary filmed during the recording of the album. The videos, however, did not include Tim Rice's commentary, which appeared on the original video cassette.
Bonus Tracks: Press Conference / Intro Mountain Duet Der Kleine Franz / Anthem (Instrumental Version)
One Night in Bangkok
The first single was an edited version of One Night in Bangkok. Released 6th/26th (??) October 1984 7" One Night in Bangkok (3.54 edit) b/w Merano (1984 CHESS 1) 7" One Night in Bangkok (? US edit) b/w Merano 12" One Night in Bangkok (5.38 extended version) b/w Merano (slightly extended)
Nobody's Side
Thanks Gerard for the Double Pack pic
Nobody's Side was released on 6th November. (??) 7" Nobody's Side b/w Embassy Lament (1984 CHESS2) 12" Nobody's Side b/w Embassy Lament & The World Chess Champions (1984 CHESST2) 7" Nobody's Side (Remixed) b/w Embassy Lament (1984 CHESST2) 12" Nobody's Side b/w Embassy Lament & The World Chess Champions (1986 CHESST7) 7" Nobody's Side b/w Embassy Lament & I Know Him So Well b/w Chess. - Limited edition double pack (1986 CHESS7D)
I Know Him So Well
Thanks Pepé for the Japanese pic
I Know Him So Well was released on......? 7" I Know Him So Well b/w Chess (1984 CHESS 3) (PB68257) 12" I Know Him So Well b/w Chess & Quartet (1984 CHESST 3) (PC 68258)
7" I Know Him So Well b/w Chess ? Japanese RPS 170 (CHESS 3)
The Arbiter
The Arbiter was released on...?? 7" The Arbiter 4.08 remix b/w Merchandisers 2.35 edit (1985 CHESS 4) 12" The Aribter (Extended 6.02?) b/w The Opening Ceremony (1985 CHESST 4) 12" The Arbiter (I Know the Score) (Extended and remixed version) (Short) 4.08 / The Arbiter (I Know the Score) (Extended and remixed version) (Long) 6.02 US PROMO (JD-14125)
Heaven Help My Heart
Heaven Help My Heart was released on...? 7" Heaven Help My Heart 3.29 b/w Argument 1.51 (1985 CHESS 5) 12" Heaven Help My Heart b/w Argument & Where I Want To Be (1985 CHESST 5) 7" Heaven Help My Heart 3.29 b/w Argument 1.51 (PB-13958 1984) (There was also a US Promo, seems to be same Cat No.)
Anthem
Anthem was released in Sweden during October 1984 7" Anthem 3.02 / Where I Want to Be 6.19 (CHESS 2)
It was not released in the UK until 1986 7" Anthem 3.02 b/w Mountain Duet 4.43 (1986 CHESS 8) 12" Anthem 3.02 b/w Mountain Duet 4.43 / Where I Want to Be 3.46 (1986 CHESST 8)
Pity the Child
Thanks Pepé for the Japanese pics
Pity the Child was not released in the UK, but had a US and Japanese release: 7" Pity The Child (Long Version) / The Deal (No Deal) Japan (RPS-189) 1985 7" Pity the Child (US Edit) 12" Pity The Child / One Night In Bangkok (Extended) / The Deal Germany (PT 40414) 1985
Chess Moves
A VHS tape was released featuring the videos for five songs: One Night in Bangkok, Nobody's Side, The Arbiter, I Know Him So Well & Pity the Child. Tim Rice provided an introduction to each of the characters and songs.
Broadway Cast Album
The Broadway cast album was released in the summer of 1988 although presented in a gate-fold sleeve and a double CD box, it was only a single album. Later editions of the CD were in a slim jewel box, with the booklet printed in small print to make it thin enough to fit into the box.
Prologue / The Story of Chess / Where I Want to Be / How Many Women / Chess Hymn / Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranqulity) / You Want to Lose Your Only Friend? / Someone Else's Story / One Night in Bangkok / Terrace Duet / Nobody's Side / Anthem / Hungarian Folk Song / Heaven Help My Heart / No Contest / You and I / I Know Him So Well / Pity the Child / Lullaby (Apukad eros kezen) / Endgame / You and I (reprise)
A cassette promo edition was released. Track listing: Someone Else's Story, One Night in Bangkok, Nobody's Side, Anthem, I Know Him So Well, Pity the Child & You and I.
I Know Him So Well / Nobody's Side
There was a 12" promo single for I Know Him So Well / Nobody's Side. (Thanks Erik for the image)
Someone Else's Story
A single was released of Someone Else's Story in Sweden (Polar POS 1387 1988) It doesn't seem to have been released in America??
Chess in Concert - Gothenburg Orchestra Album
Released November 1994 Karin Glenmark (Florence), Tommy Körberg (Anatoly), Anders Glenmark (Freddie), Johan Schinkler (Molokov), Lena Ericsson (Svetlana), Lars Risberg (Arbiter)
Danish Cast Album
This was the first full recording of the entire London score, but apparently it was released without permission and had to be withdrawn and replaced with an edited version, leaving out the most interesting and previously unrecorded tracks.
Original Track List: (Scanbox / Harlekin 81851) Disc 1: The Story of Chess / Merano / Commie Newspapers / Press Conference / Anatoly & Molokov Where I Want to Be / Diplomats / Arbiter / Hymn to Chess / Merchandiser / Chess No 1 / Arbiter (reprise) / Quartet / Florence & Molokov / 1956 - Budapest Is Rising / Nobody's Side / Der Kleiner Franz / Mountain Duet / Chess No 2 / Florence Quits / Pity the Child / Embassy Lament / Heaven Help My Heart / Anatoly and the Press / Anthem
Disc 2: The Golden Bangkok - One Night in Bangkok / One More Opponent - You and I / Soviet Machine / Interview / Someone Else's Story / The Deal / I Know Him So Well / Talking Chess / Endgame / You and I (reprise) / Finale
Edited Track List: (Scanbox 1870)
Disc 1: The Story of Chess / Merano / Anatoly & Molokov / Where I Want to Be / Diplomats / Arbiter / Hymn To Chess / Merchandisers / Chess #1 / The Arbiter (Reprise) / Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility) / Florence & Molokov / 1956 (Budapest Is Rising) / Nobody's Side / Mountain Duet / Chess #2 / Florence Quits / Pity the Child / Embassy Lament / Heaven Help My Heart / Anthem
Disc 2: The Golden Bangkok / One Night in Bangkok / You and I / The Soviet Machine / Interview / Someone Else's Story / The Deal / I Know Him So Well / End Game / You and I (reprise) / Finale Bonus track: One Night in Bangkok - Remixed by Arpeggio.
Single Disc Track List: (Harlekin 81871-16CO)
The Story of Chess / Anatoly and Molokov / The Arbiter / Hymn to Chess / Florence and Molokov / Nobody's Side / Mountain Duet / Heaven Help My Heart / Anthem / One Night in Bangkok / You and I / Someone Else's Story / I Know Him So Well / You and I - reprise / Finale.
På Svenska Album
Released October 2002
There was also a DVD released featuring a recording of the entire live show....... and a second disc which told the story of how Chess was recreated for its return to Sweden...
Chess in Concert - Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall concerts were recorded and released in a full and highlights version..... June 16th (US?) 14th Sep 2009? The concert was also released on a DVD.
Also I think a special Josh Groban fan club version of the CDs....???
CC Productions
A single CD of cover versions of the Chess songs was released which basically followed the track listing of Chess Pieces. There was no cast credits listed, but it was not a bad recording. It seems to have subsequently been re-released with a number of different covers. Track listing: Merano / The Arbiter / Nobody's Side / Chess / Embassy Lament / Anthem / One Night in Bangkok / Heaven Help My Heart / I Know Him So Well / Pity the Child / You and I / The Story of Chess
Aarhus Cast Album
CD from the international production in Aarhus, Denmark, sung in English
Florence: Maria Lucia Freddie: Jonas Malmsjö Anatoly: Philip Jalmelid Svetlana: Signe Kærup Hjort The Arbiter: Robbie Scotcher One Night in Bangkok / I Know Him So Well / Where I Want To Be / Nobody's Side / Someone Else's Story / The Arbiter / Chess / Heaven Help My Heart / Pity The Child
Hungary Cast Album 2015
In the autumn of 2015 this (sung in Hungarian) semi staged concert version of the show was released on a double CD. It basically follows the London/RAH song order with one or two alterations. More details to follow...
Catalogue Numbers
Below is a list of single and album releases that I compiled a while back (mostly thanks to the Discog.com website). It's not complete, but it gives an indication of some of the many different releases there has been. If anybody knows of anything that should be listed, do please let me know.
7" One Night In Bangkok 3.54 / Merano 7.08 (CHESS 1) (388797) 6th Oct 1984 7" One Night In Bangkok 3.54 / Merano 7.08 Switzerland Pic Sleeve (PB 68 240) Jan 1985 7" One Night In Bangkok 3.54 / Merano 7.08 Japan (RPS 164) 7" One Night In Bangkok 3.54 / Merano 7.08 Portugal (PB 61501) 1984 7" One Night In Bangkok (Una Nocha En Bangkok) / Merano Peru (01.44.710136) 1985 7" One Night In Bangkok (Una Nocha En Bangkok) / Merano Spain PB 68240 1984
12" One Night In Bangkok (Una Nocha En Bangkok) / Merano PC 68240 1984 12" One Night In Bangkok (CHECK 1) (346109) Oct 1984 (Not sure if same as one below.) 12" One Night In Bangkok 5.38 / Merano 7.08 Canada (CHECK 1) 1984 12" One Night In Bangkok 5.38 / Merano 7.08 UK (CHESST 1) 12" One Night In Bangkok 5.38 / Merano 7.08 France PC 61540 12" One Night In Bangkok 5.38 / Merano 7.08 Australia TDS 235 12" One Night In Bangkok 5.38 / Merano 7.08 USA PD 13959
7" Nobody's Side 3.54 / Embassy Lament 1.31 UK (CHESS 2) 1984 7" Nobody's Side / Embassy Lament? POLAR ? (CHESS 3) Dec 1984 7" Nobody's Side / Embassy Lament Netherlands (PB 68241) 1984 7" Nobody's Side/ ? Switzerland (3124632) Dec 1984 7" Nobody's Side (Remixed Version) 3.54 / Embassy Lament UK (CHESS 7) 1986 7" Nobody's Side / Embassy Lament 1.31 Promo Spain PB 68241 (Spanish words on cover) 7" x2 Nobody's Side 3.54 / Embassy Lament 1.31 / I Know Him So Well / Chess (Ltd Edition double pack) UK (CHESS 7D)
12" Nobody's Side / Embassy Lament 1.31 / The World Chess Champions from Endgame a scene from Chess 2.29 UK (CHESST2) 1984 12" Nobody's Side 3.54 / Embassy Lament 1.31 / The World Chess Champions from Endgame a scene from Chess 2.29 UK (CHESST 7) Reissue 1986 12" Nobody's Side 3.54 / Embassy Lament 1.31 / The World Chess Champions from Endgame a scene from Chess 2.29 Germany (PC 68242) 1984 7" I Know Him So Well / Chess UK (CHESS 3) (PB68257) 1984 7" I Know Him So Well 4.12/ Chess 3.28 Swiss (PB 68 257) Dec 1984 12" I Know Him So Well / Chess / Quartet UK (CHESST 3) (PC 68258) 1984 7" The Arbiter / Merchandisers UK (CHESS 4) 1985 7" The Arbiter 4.08 / Merchandisers 2.35 Canada (CHESS 5) 1985
12" The Aribter (Extended) / The Opening Ceremony UK (CHESST 4) 1985 12" The Arbiter (Extended) / Merchandisers??? Canada (CHECK 5) 1984 12" The Arbiter (Extended / Short Version) US Promo RCA – JD-14125 1984
7" Heaven Help My Heart 3.29 / Argument 1.51 UK (CHESS 5) 1985 12" Heaven Help My Heart / Argument / Where I Want To Be UK (CHESST5) 1985
7" Anthem 3.02 / Where I Want to Be 6.19 Sweden (CHESS 2) Oct 1984 7" Anthem 3.02 / Mountain Duet 4.43 UK (CHESS 8) 1986 7" Anthem / ??? (3124588) Oct 1984 12" Anthem / Mountain Duet 4.43 / Where I Want to Be 3.46 UK (CHESST 8) 1986 CHESS (RCA Album) PL70500(2) 1984 CHESS (Germany) PL 70500-42 CHESS (Scandinavia) POLYXL 2-600 CHESS (Cassette) SCANDINAVIA POLYXC 2-600 CHESS (CD) UK RCA PD70500(2) CHESS (CD) SCANDINAVIA POLYCD 2-600 CHESS (CD) SWITZERLAND RCA PD70 500 Jan 1985