As snow softly falls on Moscow, Anatoly Sergievsky, the Soviet’s chess champion is seen in his suburban flat preparing for his trip to the 1986 World Chess Championships. His son looks on as his wife Svetlana accuses Anatoly of not caring about her or his family. She practically accuses him of be unfaithful when he is away playing chess. He explains that chess is his work and that he gets little if any pleasure from the game he once loved. She flies into a rage and tips his chess board to the floor.
As he gathers up the chess pieces, he reminds his son of the legend about how chess was invented. (Historien Om Schack / History of Chess - The Story of Chess)
With the snow still falling on Moscow, Anatoly takes a crowded train to the airport. As he does so he thinks about the state of his life. At the airport he is met by his KGB employed advisor Molokov and various KGB associates. (Där Jag Ville Vara / Where I Want To Be)
In Merano, Italy as spring brings sunshine and warmth, the local people welcome the two world chess champions to their beautiful town. At the tournament hotel Anatoly’s delegation arrive just before the American’s, and in the glare of the press Freddie Trumper, the American champion, manipulates the press into giving him some ‘good publicity’. When he sees Anatoly he throws some abuse in his direction then pushes a waitress making her spill champagne on Anatoly’s suit. Trumper’s advisor, Florence Vassy is left to deal with the Russians and offers to pay their dry cleaning bill. (Merano) As Molokov and Anatoly make their way to their rooms they discuss the state of Freddie’s mind and although Molokov dismisses him as crazy, Anatoly knows his opponent is anything but mad. (Anatoly Och Molokov / Anatoly and Molokov)
In Florence and Freddie’s hotel room they argue about his behaviour towards the Russians.Freddie reminds her how the Russians treated her and her family and she recalls the moment when her father was captured in Budapest during the uprising of 1956. As she thinks about that night we see a reenactment of the moment her father was taken from her. (Ungern '56 / Hungary ’56 - The American and Florence)
Florence storms out leaving Freddie alone. Later she arrives at the hotel’s disco, where she sees Freddie flirting with various women and handing out his card! As the original version of One Night in Bangkok plays on the sound system, she tries to drown her sorrows with a few drinks and soon she too is flirting and dancing with various young men.(Lämna Inga Dörrar På Glänt / Never Leave a Door Ajar / Nobody's Side)
Day 2
Next morning Florence wakes up with just enough time to get to the tournament for the opening ceremony. As she rushes to the arena, she briefly meets Anatoly in the lift. Before the ceremony the Arbiter explains to his assistants and eventually the delegates and players how he will manage the tournament and that he intends to make sure politics does not tarnish the tournament. (Jag Vill Se Schack / I Want to see Chess - The Arbiter’s Song)
As the games begin the Arbiter oversees the proceedings, quite literally hovering above the players as they make their moves. While his assistants imitate a life size game. (Chess)
During the first game Freddie loses his temper and leaves the arena, knocking the chess pieces to the grown as he goes. Molokov, Anatoly, The Arbiter and Florence discuss the situation. (Kvartett - En Förebild För Dygd Och Högsta Ambition / Quartet – A Model of Decorum and Tranquillity)
That evening Florence is sitting alone, feeling lonely in the hotel bar. Molokov and Anatoly arrive and Anatoly begins to make conversation with Florence. He tells her about a teacher he once had who was a Hungarian. He asks how long she has known Freddie and does he always treat her with such disrespect. Florence explains that being treated without respect is something that happens to other women not her. (Lärarens Historia / Inte Jag / Teacher’s History / Not Me - Someone Else's Story)
A mutual attraction and understanding is felt between them and they leave the hotel together.
When Molokov realizes that Anatoly has given his KGB guards the slip, panic breaks out in the Soviet camp and the secret police are alerted. In Moscow Anatoly’s wife Svetlana and their son are discreetly taken from a church by some KGB-men. They are later seen boarding a plane.
Anatoly decides to apply for political asylum and together with Florence he goes to the American consulate. Later a large press conference is organized there due to the recent incident. (Möte På En Bro / Meeting on a Bridge - Mountain Duet)
The press confront Freddie with the news about Anatoly’s attempt to seek asylum and that he has been seen with Florence. Freddie reflects on the fact that Florence is really the only friend he has ever had. (Hon Är Min Enda Vän / She Is My Only Friend - Pity the Child)
In the quiet of the Merano evening Florence and Anatoly chat about their feelings. Florence recalls memories of her father. (Om Florences Far /About Florence’s Father)
Anatoly is forced to confront his innermost thoughts regarding the defection.(I Mitt Hjärtas Land / In My Hearts Land - Anthem)
As Anatoly utters his final thoughts about his country a metaphorical iron curtain falls behind him separating Anatoly from his people and his land.
Act Two Day 3
In their hotel room, Freddie accusingly shows Florence the newspapers which contain pictures of her with Anatoly. They argue and Florence decides to leave him, she grabs her bag and walk out. (Florence Lämnar Freddie / Florence Leaves Freddie - Florence Quits)
Svetlana and her son have been brought to Merano by two KGB men. We see her being taken to Anatoly’s hotel room where she is greeted with no sign of affection from Anatoly.
Left alone in his room Freddie falls into a state of self pity and anger about his past and the women who he trusted. (Vem Ser Ett Barn / Who Sees a Child - Pity the Child)
In Anatoly’s hotel room his feelings and loyalty are tested by Svetlana and the KGB. Even the hotel cleaners and porters join in with their opinions on what he is doing!(Ni Dömer Mig / You Judge Me - Endgame)
Anatoly asks about his son and Molokov tells him that it is his own selfishness that is keeping him from seeing his son. Anatoly leaves the hotel.
Alone (on the bridge again) Florence realizes what she truly feels (Sla Mitt Hjarta Sla / Om Han Var Här / Beat My Heart Beat / If He Was Here - Heaven Help My Heart)
Anatoly eventually finds Florence on the bridge and they go off together.
Svetlana goes in search of her husband and finds herself in the grounds of a funfair. Unable to find her husband she reflects on the kind of man her husband has become. (Vem Ar Jag /Han Är En Man, Han Är Ett Barn / Who Am I / He Is A Man He Is A Child)
The fairground becomes busy as the people of Merano come out to celebrate the arrival of spring. Anatoly and Florence arrive and share a short time of happiness among the carnival crowds. (Merano/ US v USSR Instrumentals)
Suddenly Freddie appears and confronts Anatoly and Florence as the public look on.(Vem Kunde Ana / Who Knew - The Deal)
Freddie eventually calms down and leaves. Florence and Anatoly quietly discuss their feelings and realize that their dreams are fragile and likely to be shattered. (Drömmar Av Glas / Dreams of Glass - You And I)
Day 4
At a press conference the Arbiter informs the public that the games will continue. (Jag Vill Se Schack / I Want To See Chess - The Arbiter - Reprise)
Svetlana passes by and sees Florence, the press and chess delegates quickly disperse leaving the two women to argue over the man they both want and who they feel certain wants them. (Jag Vet Vad Han Vill / I Know What He Wants - I Know Him So Well)
In the chess arena Molokov discusses with Anatoly what he should do about his situation. Suddenly showing some pangs of conscience Molokov explains to Anatoly about the great love of his life, who he let walk away in favour of his job. (Glöm Mig Om Du Kan / Forget Me If You Can)
Nevertheless, he still carries out his threat: if Anatoly remains in the West, his family will suffer. He must forfeit the game, and to save Soviet face, he must blame it and his sudden desire to defect on stress and his mental health. He must then return to Moscow and the soviet bosom.
As the endgame begins the choir sings the names of previous chess champions. Anatoly eventually makes his decision and loses the game to save his family.(Capablanca / Champions)
After the game Anatoly and Florence say their last sad farewells before parting forever.(Drömmar Av Glas / Historien Om Schack / You and I / The Story of Chess)