This version of Chess is completely different than any others that have come before. All of the action is set within 4 days, all in Merano. Consequently, much of the show has been re-written. There are many very, very nice things about this production, and the DVD version of it. My thanks to Karin in advance for her review, which helps me figure out what's going on! :-) Also, if you're an English-speaker watching the DVD, this site has a great translation of the lyrics.

Act One begins with an overture, which is new right off the bat. This time is used on the DVD for the credits. The stage looks absolutely huge, with fairly small sets that seem to add to the wide open space. As the show starts, a light snow is falling in Moscow in 1986, where Anatoly is preparing to leave for the World Chess Championship in Italy. He and Svetlana argue about the trip - Svetlana is furious with her husband that he always leaves her behind when he goes West, and she claims that he neglects his family. Before he goes, he sings "The Story of Chess" to his son. "Where I Want to Be" takes place as he travels to the airport (through the streets and subway of Moscow :-).

The Tyrolean band comes out of the pit to start "Merano", but the arriving Freddie is anything but impressed. He disparages the town before throwing his drink on Anatoly, leaving Florence to apologize. Anatoly and Molokov argue over Freddie's mental state, which Florence and Freddie argue about his behaviour. This is "You Want to Lose Your Only Friend", although its been re-written so that part-way into it, the music shifts to an instrumental choral passage, during which we flash back to the Hungarian uprising. I loved the lighting here, and the tank is incredible! Not to mention the beautiful music. The adult Florence tries to intervene as her father is taken away, but Freddie restrains her. Back in the present, the argument continues and Florence storms out.

The scene shifts to a bar, where "One Night in Bangkok" is playing. :-) Freddie dances with some girls and leaves just as Florence arrives. She lets herself go to forget about her troubles, singing "Nobody's Side", drinking, and dancing on the bar. :-)

Day Two. The Arbiter's song has a new techno sound to it - I didn't recognize it at first. He is very strict - he wants to see chess and nothing more. The chorus sing one of the melodies from the London version's press conference at the end of the chorus. Freddie can't even behave for the whole of the song.

The game starts, with an instrumental backing. I loved the camera angle swinging all the way around and showing the audience. Things start to look bad for Freddie, and he loses his temper and walks out. Florence tries to do damage control in "The Quartet". There is a verse with music from "You want to lose your only friend", where Florence makes an attack on Molokov, accusing him of having her father's blood on his hands.

Florence goes to a bar, where she is berated a bit more by the Arbiter. Anatoly arrives. Florence tells him she is about to leave, but he doesn't buy it. They start to talk, Anatoly obviously a bit curious about her, but with her brushing him off completely. He brings up Budapest, and sympathizes with her. Then he asks her about her and Freddie, and suddenly she tells him everything about their arguments in "Someone Else's Story".

Anatoly grabs Florence and they escape his bodyguards and Molokov. Anatoly and Florence start to search for an embassy as Anatoly has decided that he wants to change his life and move to the West where he can live in freedom and follow his long forgotten dreams. Molokov alerts the secret police, and Svetlana and Anatoly's son are taken from a church in Moscow, to be brought to Merano for emotional blackmail. When Anatoly and Florence crash an embassy party, the press finds out about the intended desertion, and are fascinated with the "scandal". Florence and Anatoly sing their "Mountain Duet", which surrounded by reporters asking them questions. I love the camera here too, acting as one of the press.

Freddie is confronted by reports of Florence and Antatoly seen together. He acts cool in front of the press, but once on his own, he reveals his fear in a short "Pity the Child", admitting that Florence was right when she said she was his only friend.

Florence talks a bit about her memories of her father, to the tune of the Hungarian lullaby from the London recording. she asks him what he's feeling. He tries to put his feelings about leaving his homeland into words with his "Anthem".

Day Three. The second act begins with Florence picking up her things at Freddie's. They have a heated argument - Freddie is very jealous, and terrified that she is leaving him. Florence accuses Freddie of ruining their relationship by always bringing up her childhood when he wants to manipulate her. As she runs out, she tells him to call his mother - I'm not sure if this was meant to be ironic, if she knew about his childhood, or if she just meant he was being childish. Either way, it leads into "Pity the Child", as Svetlana also arrives in Merano.

Anatoly returns to his hotel room to find Svetlana, who flings the article about him and Florence in his face. Molokov and some others are present to keep an eye on them. They sing "Endgame", where Anatoly revolts against all those around him that are trying to control his life. Meanwhile, Florence comes to terms with exactly what she feels for Anatoly.

Svetlana has a new song of her own, called "He's a Man, He's a Child". She tells the audience about how she met Anatoly, and that she now feels neglected, but that she is still prepared to fight to get him back.

Anatoly and Florence meet in a market. People are thrilled to see them together, and everyone is happy. That is, until Freddie arrives. This leads into "The Deal". Freddie is drunk and tries to convince Anatoly that Florence isn't worthwhile, and tries to pick a fight with him. Anatoly doesn't get worked up though, and calls Freddie a coward. There is no fight, so Freddie turns to Florence and accuses her of ruining everything. He reaches out to touch her, but she hits his arm away, and he leaves quietly.

Florence and Anatoly stand gazing at each other while above them an elaborate trapeze number takes place. Eventually they sing "You and I", while the trapeze continues above them. The melody of the verses has been changed. There is then a small reprise of the Arbiter's song.

Florence and Svetlana meet and sing "I Know Him So Well". It's more of an argument between the two - they both want Anatoly and are both prepared to fight for him.

Anatoly comes to Molokov and says that he wants to see his son. Molokov makes clear that Anatoly has to make a choice - he must forfeit the game due to "illness", and go back to Russia, where he will tell the press that the past week has been a mistake. On the other hand, if he chooses to stay with Florence, Molokov says he will not be able to say what will happen to Anatoly's family.

Anatoly is devestated and furious. He can't believe that Molokov can betray him like this. Here Molokov also has been given a song of his own, where he tells Anatoly that he himself has had to make sacrifices (including giving up his own true love) for his country, as it is his duty.

Day Four. The final game. Anatoly makes his choice, and loses the game. Freddie is triumphantly carried out, with admirers and the press trailing after him. Florence and Anatoly are left alone. They sing a reprise of "You and I", mingled with a reprise of the "Story of Chess". Anatoly leaves with his son, and Florence is left alone.

The cast is really wonderful, particularly Helen Sj�holm as Florence! I also really like both Tommy K�rberg and Anders Ekborg as well. The only person that I don't love is Rolf Skoglund as the Arbiter, but that's pretty minor overall.

The second disc of the DVD contains a "Making of" special that also looks very interesting. However, my only real complaint about the whole DVD in general, is that I wish they would have included an option for English subtitles! Obviously they would have known that English fans of the show would be interested in seeing it, and it would make it a lot easier for us to follow what's going on. But still, the fact that a show is in another language has never stopped me from enjoying it, and it certainly doesn't here either. If you're a Chess fan, you *must* get this recording!