# Chess (musical)

Chess is a musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA. The story involves a romantic triangle between two players in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific individuals, the characters’ personalities are loosely based on those of Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer.

### Merano

* We'll give you a welcome that's typically Tirol, For then we are sure of our ground. Right now we're Italian — we used to be German. The border keeps shifting around.
** Citizens of Merano
* Has the mob's sporting taste Altered overnight? Have they found new sophistication?Not yet! They just want to see If the nice guy beats the bum. If it's East-West And the money's sky-high, They all come.
** The American

### Where I Want to Be

* Once I had dreams, Now they're obsessions. Hopes became needs, Lovers possessions.
** The Russian
* Now I'm where I want to be and who I want to be And doing what I always said I would And yet I feel I haven't won at all Running for my life and never looking back In case there's someone right behind to shoot me down And say he always knew I'd fall.
** The Russian

### The Opening Ceremony

* Arbiter: I'm on the case, can't be fooled Any objection is overruled. Don't try to tempt me — you've no hope. I don't like women, I don't take dope. I'm the Arbiter. I know the score. Chorus: From square one he'll be watching all 64.

### A Model of Decorum and Tranquillity

| Molokov: | | Florence: |
| It's very sad | | How sad |
| To see the ancient and | | To see |
| Distinguished game | | What used |
| That used to be | | To be |
| | Molokov and Florence: | |
| | A model of decorum and tranquility | |
| | Become like any other sport | |
| | A battleground for rival ideologies | |
| | To slug it out with glee | |

### Nobody's Side

* Everybody's playing the game But nobody's rules are the same Nobody's on nobody's side.
** Florence
* Never make a promise or plan Take a little love where you can Nobody's on nobody's side.
** Florence
* Never be the first to believe Never be the last to deceive Nobody's on nobody's side.
** Florence

### Mountain Duet

* I don't know why I can't think of anything I would rather do Than be wasting my time On mountains with you.
** Florence and The Russian

### Florence Quits

* Who'd ever think it? Such a squalid little ending Watching you descending Just as far as you can go I'm learning things I didn't want to know Who'd ever guess it? This would be the situation — One more observation — How'd we ever get this far Before you showed me what you really are?
** Florence and The American

### Anthem

* Long before nations' lines were drawn When no flags flew when no armies stood My land was born.
** The Russian
* How can I leave her? Where would I start? Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart My land's only borders lie Around my heart.
** The Russian

### One Night in Bangkok

* One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free. You'll find a god in every golden cloister And if you're lucky then the god's a she I can feel an angel sliding up to me.
** Company
* I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine.
** The American
* One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble Not much between despair and ecstasy One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble Can't be too careful with your company I can feel the devil walking next to me.
** Company
* I'd let you watch, I would invite you. But the queens we use would not excite you.
** The American

### I Know Him so Well

* Florence: But in the end he needs a little bit more than me — More security Svetlana: He needs his fantasy and freedom Florence: I know him so well Svetlana: It took time to understand him Florence and Svetlana: I know him so well.

### Pity the Child

* Pity the child who knew his parents Saw their faults Saw their love die before his eyes Pity the child that wise He never asked did I cause your distress? Just in case they said yes.
** The American
* Pity instead the careless mother What she missed What she lost when she let me go And I wonder does she know I wouldn't call — a crazy thing to do Just in case she said "Who?"
** The American

### Endgame

* Anyone can be A husband, lover Sooner them than me When they discover Their domestic bliss is Shelter for their failing.
** The Russian
* Is there no one in my life Who does not claim The right to steal My work, my name My success, my fame And my freedom?
** The Russian

### Epilogue: You and I

* You and I We've seen it all Chasing our hearts' desire But we go on pretending Stories like ours Have happy endings.
** The Russian and Florence