Revised: February 3, 2008

Cosplay Human Chess

Magic vs. Science! Cosplay Human Chess is a spectacular cosplay gameshow performance event, where convention attendees in costume as anime characters serve as the pieces on a giant chess board, moving, fighting and dying live on stage at the direction of two chess masters. The theme for this year's match is Magic vs. Science, so don't miss this chance to watch an army of hyper-advanced cyborgs and brooding giant robot pilots battle it out against magical girls and eternal demons. Xelloss fighting Major Kusaenagi? Alucard defeated by Chii? It could happen... No knowledge of how to play chess is necessary for the audience or participants, just come ready to root for your favorite anime and videogame characters as they duke it out in improbable cross-over battles. Applicants must apply in advance - see the Cosplay Human Chess rules for details. The application deadline is Nov. 1st!

Cosplay Human Chess is a cosplay game show event in which a giant chessboard is set up on stage, and convention attendees in costume serve as the pieces, moving, fighting and dying live on stage at the direction of two chess masters. These combats are not pre-scripted, but take-place live on stage, and no one knows what the outcome will be until the match is over.

Theme

This year's match has a theme: Magic vs. Science! The ancient rivalry between adherents of the arcane arts and the disciples of technology will be played out live on stage as representatives of these two great genres of anime face-off at last. The "Magic" team will include such character types as magical girls, wizards, witches, elves, demons, angels, vampires, priests, deities and ghosts. The "Science" team will include robots, cyborgs, pilots, mad scientists, astronauts, mutants, clones, hackers and tech-savvy soldiers. Characters who could fit equally well in both categories, such as alchemists or ninjas, or who seem to fit neither category, such as ordinary high school students, politicians or samurai, will be fitted to the team which suits them best.

How to Participate

The participants in the chess match are chosen from among the convention attendees. No knowledge of how to play chess is required -- the two chess players will direct your movements. If you are interested in participating, you must submit an online application, along with a sample photo of yourself in the costume. Registration for Cosplay Human Chess is not first-come, first-serve like the Masquerade and Formal Hall Costume Contest. Instead, all applications will be reviewed at once after the application cut-off date and the participants will be selected based on the appropriateness and popularity of the characters, as well as the quality of the costumes. Be certain to read the Cosplay Human Chess Rules before you submit your application. The application deadline is November 1st!

What Kinds of Characters Get Picked?

Priority is given to popular and easily-recognized characters, since the match is more fun for the audience if they know who the characters are. Priority will also be given to characters who fit the Angst vs. Sugar theme. Try to pick a character who fits the ideals of that genre. In some cases, especially when casting the King and Queen pairs, priority is given to pairs or small groups from the same series. You may apply with more than one costume, in which case we will select the most appropriate one.

Special Attacks

In addition to the thirty-two pieces on the board, Cosplay Human Chess also has special attacks in which one character calls on another from back stage to help in combat. Examples of special attacks might include Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura) summoning Kero-chan, or Naruto (Naruto) doing Kage-Bunshin no Jitsu and having other Narutos rush onto stage. If you have a character who you think would make a good special attack or if you have a second person willing to cosplay as an appropriate special attack for your character, you can apply as a special attack – see our Chess Rules.

Application details

Individuals participating in other cosplay events at the convention this year may also apply to Cosplay Human Chess, and you may wear the same costume for Cosplay Human Chess as for the Masquerade. You may also apply to both Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game with the same costume, but each costume will probably only be selected for one event. When you apply, you must submit a link to a photo of yourself in your costume as a reference. (A picture of you without the costume, of the costume without you in it, or a screen cap or manga image from the series is not acceptable.) Applications are not first-come, first-serve, so if you don't have a photo yet, wait to apply until you have one, rather than submitting an incomplete application. There is room on the application form for four costumes to be submitted. If you wish to submit more than four costumes, there is a space for you to note additional costumes. If you have more questions, see the Cosplay Human Chess FAQ.

IMPORTANT: This event will take place on Saturday November 17th 2007. If you apply, you must make certain that you will not have to leave the convention early!

Apply for a role in the Cosplay Human Chess.

Cosplay Human Chess FAQ

How are applicants selected?

We will select the participants on the basis of the characters, and the quality of the costume, not on a first-come, first-serve basis. We are looking for applicants who will cosplay major characters from well-known shows so that everyone in our audience will be able to enjoy their viewing experience to the utmost. Priority will be given to very recognizable and popular characters that will be easily distinguishable from one another at a distance. Applicants with costumes from obscure shows or of lesser-known characters will usually not be accepted, no matter how delightful the costume is.

How many people will be selected?

We will choose thirty-two chess piece participants who will be active on the chessboard. We will also select a set of alternates and special attacks, so more than 23 total people will get to participate.

Do I get to pick which piece I am?

Applicants will not be given a choice of which position they want to be on the chessboard. These decisions will be entirely up to the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator s with no exceptions. No requests in this matter will be considered.

Do I get to pick which side I'm on?

On the application form, applicants do get to state whether they are applying to be on the Magic or Science side. If you aren't sure which side you should be on, we will pick for you.

How do I apply?

Simply fill out the online application form. Every applicant must submit a link to a web page with a minimum of two color photos of the applicant wearing the specific costume that they intend to wear as a participant: one full-length front view, one full-length back view. Photos of the cosplayer not in costume or of the costume not being worn by the cosplayer are not acceptable. Other photos, of side views or significant accessories, may be included on the web page at the applicant's discretion. Everything that an applicant intends to visibly wear or carry as a participant must appear in a photo. If you do not have a web page with photos, you should create one; an easy way to do this is to go to Cosplay.com, which offers a free cosplay profile service. When you send in your application, be certain to check the links to make sure they work and that no login is required to access them. If you do not have photos of your completed costume yet, wait to submit your application until you have them. Do not submit an application and then send pictures later. Being accepted into Cosplay Human Chess in one costume and checking in for the event in another costume, or with another person wearing the same costume, is grounds for immediate dismissal from the game.

When should I apply?

The cut off date for applications is November 1st. Since chess pieces are selected based on quality and not first-come, first-serve, it's better to wait until your costume is finished than to rush and apply early. Take your time and make your costume the best than it can be!

Do I have to apply in advance?

To make sure a spot is reserved for you, you must apply online in advance; however a few at-the-door applicants may be accepted at the convention itself if some of the online applicants fail to check in. If you want to participate in Cosplay Human Chess but did not manage to apply in time, then as soon as you arrive at the con you should contact the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator to see if there are spaces free.

I'm under eighteen. May I still apply?

Cosplayers under eighteen may certainly apply with the inclusion of the appropriate form signed by parent or guardian. Be certain that your parent or guardian knows the time of the match and that you will not be forced to leave the convention early.

May I apply with several different costumes?

Yes. Any applicant may submit more than one costume, as long as each costume has its own set of photos and otherwise meets all rules. The application form is designed to hold up to four costumes, and the more costumes you include in your application the more likely you are to be selected. If you wish to submit more than four costumes, you may make a note of it on the form. If more than one costume is submitted, decisions as to which costume an applicant will wear in the game are entirely up to the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator , although the applicant may indicate a preference if you like one of your costumes more than the others.

Is it okay if I didn't make my costume?

Since this is not a costume contest, costumes may be submitted that were not made by the applicant, or that have been professionally tailored or contain commercially manufactured pieces. Costumes may also be submitted that have previously been entered in the costume contests or masquerades of Anime USA or other conventions. Costumes entered in the Masquerade are acceptable. You may submit the same costume to both Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game, but you must indicate that you are doing so on the application form and, if selected, each costume will probably only be selected for one event.

I've never made a costume before. What are my chances of being selected?

Experienced cosplayers have a slight advantage, but it is easy for a beginning cosplayer to be selected so long as you have a good costume.

My costume has moving parts/large weapons/gets in other people's way. Is this a problem?

All costumes must be self-contained, with no electrical plugs or other outside support required. A costume should be something that the applicant can move in; chess is, after all, a fighting game, and movement will be necessary for the role-playing. If your costume is bulky, heavy, heavy looking, or awkward, an explanation should be included with the application explaining in detail how the design of the costume makes quick movement possible.

All costumes must be appropriate for wear in a family environment and must be street-legal in the State of Virginia. Any costume that turns out to be obscene, excessively revealing, or not street-legal will be removed from the game instantly. This event will adhere strictly to the Anime USA Weapons Policy - no weapon not allowed under the Anime USA Weapons Policy will be allowed in Cosplay Human Chess. Weapons will be examined both in applicant photos and at the event sign-in.

No props or stage accessories will be allowed which scatter. This means no confetti, no fake blood, no rose petals, and nothing else that could disrupt everyone's footing.

How will I know if I've been selected?

Selected applicants and alternates will be notified by e-mail as decisions are made. You must keep your e-mail contact information up-to-date and stay in touch with the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator .

I've been selected! What do I have to do before the con?

Participants will be required to exchange frequent e-mails with the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator and other planning staff during the weeks leading up to the convention. Failure to communicate with the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator in a timely manner when required will lead to dismissal from the game. Questions? Contact the Cosplay Human Chess Coordinator.