Chess på svenska (2002)

**Chess på svenska** ("Chess in Swedish") is the name given to a Swedish translation of *Chess* which was originally performed in 2002 and has since become available for licensing in the Nordic countries. It had a new book by Björn Ulvaeus, Lars Rudolfsson, and Jan Mark, and had new Swedish lyrics written by Ulvaeus.

## Synopsis

### Act 1

In Moscow, Russia, in 1988, Anatolij Sergievskij is a Russian grandmaster ("Ouvertyr"). He has a wife, Svetlana, and a son, Misha. His marriage appears to already be falling apart, but Misha is keeping the family together. After he and Svetlana have a heated argument about her not being allowed to go with him to the World Championship, Anatolij tells Misha the story of the invention of chess ("Historien om schack"). He bids farewell to his family, and on his way to the airport, laments his dissatisfaction with Soviet life ("Där jag ville vara").

When Anatolij arrives at the tournament in Merano, Italy ("Merano") with his second, Alexander Molokov, they find that the current champion, Freddie Trumper, is already there, making a scene. Freddie spills a glass of champagne on Anatolij's shirt, which his second, Hungarian refugee Florence Vaszi, apologizes for. Molokov claims Freddie is a lunatic, but Anatolij points out that every insane move he makes is calculated ("Anatolij och Molokov"). Meanwhile, Florence and Freddie arrive at their hotel, where Florence berates Freddie for his behavior. Freddie then manipulates Florence using the death of her father, who was killed at the hands of the Soviets ("Ungern '56"). Florence goes to a nightclub ("One Night In Bangkok"), where she drowns her sorrows and eventually crashes on her bed ("Lämna inga dörrar på glänt").

As the delegations meet, the Arbiter, Jean Jacques van Boren, asserts his authority over the match ("Jag vill se schack - Akt 1"). The game begins, but in the middle, Freddie storms out of the room ("Chess"). Florence and Molokov argue about the game, while the Arbiter attempts to get them to quiet down, and Anatolij feels a strange attraction to Florence ("Kvartett").

Florence ends up at a piano bar, where Anatolij comes up to her. He tells her a story about his father's colleague, also a Hungarian ("Lärarens historia"), and she tells him the story of her life with Freddie ("Inte jag"). Anatolij feels sympathy to her plight, and in a snap decision, decides to run away while Molokov is distracted. The two run to find a police station or a consulate, while Molokov rushes to bring Svetlana and Misha to Merano in retribution. When Anatolij arrives, a press conference forms, and he and Florence slowly grow uncomfortable and go to a bridge where they profess their love to each other ("Möte på en bro"). Meanwhile, Freddie discovers that Florence has left him ("Hon är min enda vän"). Florence and Anatolij return to his hotel room, where Florence tells him a story about her father's death ("Om Florences far"), asking Anatolij to think about his decisions and emotions. Wandering the streets, Anatolij determines to himself that he will never truly leave his homeland ("I mitt hjärtas land").

### Act 2

Florence arrives back at her hotel room, where she finds Freddie. The two argue, and Florence eventually leave ("Florence lämnar Freddie"). Freddie breaks down in a fit of self-pity ("Vem ser ett barn"). Meanwhile, Molokov and Svetlana confront Anatolij at his hotel room. Anatolij, Svetlana, the KGB, and the police argue, while the hotel staff complain about the noise ("Ni dömer mig"). Molokov brings out Misha, in an attempt to emotionally blackmail Anatolij. Florence reflects on her newfound relationship with Anatolij ("Om han var här"), and Svetlana reflects on her loss of his love ("Han är en man, han är ett barn").

While at a carnival ("Merano"), Florence and Anatolij are confronted by Freddie, still angry over her leaving ("Vem kunde ana"). However, Anatolij and Florence confirm their love to each other ("Drömmar av glas").

The next day, the Arbiter announces that the problems have been resolved and the match will be continuing ("Jag vill se schack - Akt 2"). Florence and Svetlana attend the announcement, and upon meeting, they argue, each believing that Anatoly needs them more ("Jag vet vad han vill"). Meanwhile, Anatolij and Molokov meet backstage. Molokov says that Anatolij's son will not be released unless he loses the game and returns under the pretense of illness. Anatolij tells Molokov, a bachelor, not to tell him how to manage his marriage, but Molokov reveals that he has been married before, but lost his wife to his work ("Glöm mig om du kan"). Anatolij follows his command and loses the game ("Capablanca"). After the match, Florence and Anatolij reunite one last time to reflect on their short-lived affair, before Anatolij leaves, dividing them forever ("Drömmar av glas/Historien om schack").

## Songs

### Act 1

1. Ouvertyr (Prologue)
2. Historien om schack (The Story of Chess)
3. Där jag ville vara (Where I Want To Be)
4. Merano
5. Anatolij och Molokov (Anatoly and Molokov)
6. Ungern '56 (The American and Florence)
7. One Night In Bangkok
8. Lämna inga dörrar på glänt (Nobody's Side)
9. Jag vill se schack - Akt 1 (The Arbiter)
10. Chess
11. Kvartett (Quartet)
12. Lärarens historia (The Teacher's Story)
13. Inte jag (Someone Else's Story)
14. Möte på en bro (Mountain Duet)
15. Hon är min enda vän (A Taste of Pity)
16. Om Florences far (About Florence's Father)
17. I mitt hjärtas land (Anthem)

### Act 2

1. Florence lämnar Freddie (Argument)
2. Vem ser ett barn (Pity The Child)
3. Ni dömer mig (Endgame #3)
4. Om han var här (Heaven Help My Heart)
5. Han är en man, han är ett barn (He Is A Man, He Is A Child)
6. Merano
7. Vem kunde ana (The Deal)
8. Drömmar av glas (You And I)
9. Jag vill se schack - Akt 2
10. Jag vet vad han vill (I Know Him So Well)
11. Glöm mig om du kan (Forget Me If You Can)
12. Capablanca (Endgame #1)
13. Drömmar av glas/Historien om schack (You And I/The Story of Chess)

### Cast Album

A cast album was released alongside a DVD of the show, with the following tracks:

1. Ouvertyr
2. Historien om schack
3. Där jag ville vara
4. Merano
5. Anatolij och Molokov
6. Ungern '56
7. Jag vill se schack - Akt 1
8. Lämna inga dörrar på glänt
9. Chess
10. Kvartett
11. Inte jag
12. Möte på en bro
13. I mitt hjärtas land
14. Florence lämnar Freddie
15. Vem ser ett barn
16. Ni dömer mig
17. Om han var här
18. Han är en man, han är ett barn
19. Vem kunde ana
20. Drömmar av glas
21. Jag vill se schack - Akt 2
22. Jag vet vad han vill
23. Glöm mig om du kan
24. Capablanca
25. Drömmar av glas/Historien om schack