Chess the Musical has a lot of fans because the music is incredible. Nearly every song is a showstopper, from Anatoly's impassioned declaration of love for his country in "Anthem," to Florence's defiant rant, "Nobody's Side," and to Freddy's frenzied "One Night in Bangkok." But the story? Confusing... Or so I have read. The original broadway production ran for a mere 68 performances and many have tried to rework the story to make it more coherent.
I saw the show on January 14, 2026 with its superstar cast, Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher). One critic called it a "concert" and claimed the new book by Danny Strong (of Gilmore Girls fame) failed to deliver. I disagree with the critic and consider Danny Strong's new book coherent, funny, and cohesive. Chess IS a story and an allegory connected with glorious music.
Chess is very much like an exposed layered rock. Each layer has its own characters and tells its own story, but is also connected to the other layers.
Chess is set during the Cold War, specifically in 1979 and 1983. The first story depicts the relationships/love triangle between Freddy, and Anatoly. The second story highlights the brutally competitive chess competition. Finally, the third story shows how the Cold War played out on many venues, including international chess competitions.
Freddy is an egotistical American Chess master fighting his debilitating bipolar disease and enjoys keeping everyone off balance around him. Florence Vassey, an Hungarian refugee living in the United States, is a brilliant chess strategist in a romantic relationship with Freddy while also coaching him. Anatoly was raised in the Soviet Union where he was separated from his family and intensely trained to compete in the chess world. Anatoly is married but estranged and has children. The story begins just before the Merano, Italy Chess tournament. Anatoly’s coach, Molokov, informs him that he must win the match against Freddy or face an unfortunate “disappearance” courtesy of the KGB. They discuss strategies to unbalance Freddy.
Freddy is in a deeply depressive state after choosing not to take his medicine. Florence desperately tries to rally him so he can compete. During the tournament both players reflect on their own problems while playing. The Russians attempt to sabotage the game with noises and lights. Freddy becomes increasingly irate, accuses the Russians of cheating, and leaves the match.
Following Freddy’s departure Molokov, Anatoly’s coach and KGB spy, meets with a CIA operative. Russia badly wants to win the tournament and the USA wants a peace treaty signed. The CIA agent agrees to help undermine Freddy so Anatoly can win the match. The KGB tries to bribe Florence with a picture of her father who was arrested and imprisoned by the USSR during the invasion of Hungary in 1956. Both the KGB and the CIA conspire to get Florence and Anatoly in a meeting while preventing others from attending the meeting. Florence expresses her vulnerability in meeting Anatoly alone since they had a one-night stand in Stockholm. Freddy overhears their conversation and throws a fit. Florence quits working for Freddy and sleeps with Anatoly. Freddy publicly resigns from chess and Anatoly wins by forfeit. Unfortunately, the peace deal falls apart and neither nation is happy with the outcome.
Four years later, Anatoly has defected from the USSR. He and Florence are living in the UK. They all head to Bangkok for another tournament where Freddy will provide commentary and interviews.
The USSR has a new champion but they really want Anatoly back. Once again, the CIA and the KGB conspire to force Anatoly to return to the Soviet Union, destabilize his relationship with Florence, and make larger back door agreements between the USA and USSR.
The two countries control Freddy, Florence, and Anatoly forcing them to make moves that cause great pain to all. Eventually, Freddy encourages Anatoly to win the final match. Anatoly chooses to return to Russia in exchange for the release of Florence’s father who was imprisoned in Siberia since the invasion of Hungary in 1956. The CIA provides Florence and her father with visas and they return to the United States.
In summary, Chess shows the intense world of chess where genius, giant egos, and world powers collide and clash.
The minimalist set of the Broadway show works well with the cerebral game of chess as the characters are the most dynamic part of the show. Danny Strong’s book highlights the multi-facets of chess from the game itself to the moves the government players make moving the individual characters around the global stage for their own means.
The show is on a limited run on Broadway right now. So if you have any possibility to see it, you should immediately buy tickets.
