History Theatre / Chess

* LocationSong: "Merano" is all about the healthful wonders of Merano, Italy, where act I is set. "One Night in Bangkok", set in Bangkok, Thailand, is the opening of Act II.

* AlbumTitleDrop: Subverted, because the only number that's specifically called ''Chess'' (in any incarnation) doesn't actually have any lyrics
When that [[{{Leitmotif}} musical theme]] does show up blatantly ([[RuleOfThree thrice]], the last given words in "Endgame"), it's a sort of {{leitmotif}} for "chess for Chess' sake", to paraphrase MGM's TagLine. "Hymn to Chess" communicates (a part of) the same idea vocally ([[WhamEpisode until "Endgame", that is]]).

* AlbumTitleDrop: Subverted, in the ConceptAlbum, at least, because the only number that's specifically called ''Chess'' doesn't actually have any lyrics.

* AlbumTitleDrop: Subverted in the ConceptAlbum when the only number that's specifically called ''Chess'' doesn't have any lyrics.

* BatmanGambit: "The Deal (No Deal)" -- [[spoiler: Walter and Molokov fail since Anatoly goes on to win anyway.]]
* BerserkButton: Florence tries her best to get along with anyone and everyone...as long as they don't bring up Hungary or her father.

-->'''Anatoly''': I'm a chess player, Mr. Molokov. You go and play these other..."games".

* MissingEpisode: The Sydney rewrite was never recorded on a studio album, and the Broadway rewrite's album had several songs redacted. As such, the only way to hear the music exclusive to those renditions was to go to the concert while they were still in theatres. Once the run ended, the music was lost in the ether, although full scripts (without musical notation) still circulate.
** Averted somewhat with the Broadway version now; it is occasionally performed by theatre troupes in America, allowing people a chance to hear the music. Still no studio recording, though.
*** However, one song, "East and West", was cut from the Broadway show after the opening night, and seems to have been completely erased – there are no extant recordings or even scores of this piece. The lyrics alone are known. (For those wondering, this scene took the place of Embassy Lament, and featured a New York and a San Francisco resident each arguing to Anatoly that he should live in their city once he goes to America.)

* LostForever: The Sydney rewrite was never recorded on a studio album, and the Broadway rewrite's album had several songs redacted. As such, the only way to hear the music exclusive to those renditions was to go to the concert while they were still in theatres. Once the run ended, the music was lost in the ether, although full scripts (without musical notation) still circulate.
** Averted somewhat with the Broadway version now; it is occasionally performed by theatre troupes in America, allowing people a chance to hear the music. Still no studio recording, though.
*** However, one song, "East and West", was cut from the Broadway show after the opening night, and seems to have been completely erased – there are no extant recordings or even scores of this piece. The lyrics alone are known. (For those wondering, this scene took the place of Embassy Lament, and featured a New York and a San Francisco resident each arguing to Anatoly that he should live in their city once he goes to America.)

* BSODSong: "Pity the Child", which owes a lot to "Judas' Death" in ''JesusChristSuperstar.''

* UsefulNotes/ColdWar: While the musical is called ''Chess'', the Cold War and all the ploys and posturing of the US and USSR dominate much of the plot. Interestingly, they mostly do away with the whole "West good, East bad" bit that characterizes most Western stories set during the time period. Both sides have some pretty despicable people working for them and will go to any lengths to get what they want, even if it means [[spoiler: cooperating with the other side to screw over Anatoly.]]

* SelfPlagiarism: Some of the music borrows from previous compositions written by Andersson and Ulvaeus for {{ABBA}}. In particular, the chorus of "I Know Him So Well" was based on the chorus of "I Am An A" and the chorus of "Anthem" used the chord structures from the guitar solo from "Our Last Summer".

* BreakawayPopHit: "One Night in Bangkok" and "I Know Him So Well".
** "One Night In Bangkok", as performed by Murray Head, is the last show-tune ever to chart on the Top 40 in the United States. Its then-contemporary new wave sound probably had something to do with it.

* CutSong: The Broadway version, which was famously being rewritten as the season went on, has these a plenty. "Let's Work Together", the VillainSong, was cut early on. But even before that, "East and West" seems to have been cut before opening night; it was only shown during previews. (For the interested, it took the place of "Embassy Lament" and featured two CIA guys trying to convince Anatoly to move to New York City or LA, respectively).

* ExecutiveMeddling: Trevor Nunn.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Reading up on Reagan-era political intrigue is helpful for modern audiences.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus originally sought out Russian music star Music/AllaPugacheva to sing the role of Svetlana in the original concept album, but in the case of [[TruthInTelevision Art Imitates Life]], the Soviet authorities would have none of it, so the Scottish singer Barbara Dickson was cast instead.

* SexIsBoring: During "One Night in Bangkok," Freddie shows no interest in the ladies -- or gents -- and says, "I get my kicks ''above'' the waistline, Sunshine!"
** The Arbiter claims he cannot be bribed because, [[UsefulNotes/StraightEdge among other things]], he believes this.

A RockOpera with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of Music/{{ABBA}} and with book and lyrics by Creator/TimRice. Widely considered to be the latter's MagnumOpus. It was originally produced as a successful ConceptAlbum in 1984, then became a West End production, and eventually reached Broadway. Each version of the show underwent changes in story and music; Rice considers the most recent version, performed in concert at Royal Albert Hall in 2008, to be the official one.

** The Arbiter claims he cannot be bribed because, [[StraightEdge among other things]], he believes this.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Björn Ulvaeus originally sought out Russian music star AllaPugacheva to sing the role of Svetlana in the original concept album, but in the case of [[TruthInTelevision Art Imitates Life]], the Soviet authorities would have none of it, so the Scottish singer Barbara Dickson was cast instead.

* TheSociopath: "One Night in Bangkok" establishes that Freddie really only cares about the game, and he comments that the [[RedLightDistrict Fleshpots of Bangkok]] he's wandering through offer him no temptation whatsoever, and indeed he can barely tell Bangkok from any other city he's ever visited, since he spends all his time playing chess.

* HeroicBSOD: Florence usually hits several of these, signified by her LeitMotif, "Nobody's Side."

** Florence has a LeitMoteif in "Nobody's Side," a song about her HeroicBSOD. [[FridgeHorror As her leit motif, elements of the song show up frequently.]]

** Florence has a LeitMoteif in "Nobody's Side," most often noticed during "You Want to Lose Your Only Friend?" When Freddie tells Florence her father would be ashamed she doesn't hate Anatoly for the crimes of Russia, her answering verse is set to "Nobody's Side" well in advance of the full song. Later, during "Terrace Duet" when she admits her feelings for Anatoly, she admits she's not certain if she should give in, go back to Freddie, or just walk away. In a moment of despair, she admits that, "Maybe I'm on nobody's side," again using the music from that song as she says so.

* DespairEventHorizon: Most productions end with at least one character passing this point. Florence herself is usually doomed to visit it several times, with notes of it in "Someone Else's Story" and "Nobody's Side."

** Florence has a LeitMoteif in "Nobody's Side," most often noticed during "You Want to Lose Your Only Friend?" When Freddie tells Florence her father would be ashamed she doesn't hate Anatoly for the crimes of Russia, her answering verse is set to "Nobody's Side" well in advance of the full song.

* DeadpanSnarker: The Arbiter in "One Night in Bangkok". (Definitely NOT TruthInTelevision - World Championship Arbiters are not exactly know for snarking, rather the opposite.)

* TheColdWar: The backdrop of the whole piece, and the reason both the Americans and the Russians are interested in the outcome is nominally just for publicity and oneupsmanship rather than any real gain. [[spoiler: Some versions have the exchange of spies as part of the backstory, however.]]

--> '''KGB Agents:''' We can feel the flame of triumph burning! The people's pride returning! The Soviet machine advances!