Anime Boston 2007 Cosplay Human Chess

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. Highlights from last year's match include Edward Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) transmuting a spear to be used by Kagome (Inuyasha), Vash the Stampede (Trigun) bribing the opposite team with doughnuts, Alucard (Hellsing) and Akubane (Get Backers) dueling with their hats, Naruto (Naruto) berserking at the death of his mentor Kakashi, and Chii (Chobits) attacking Chihiro (Spirited Away) with a bazooka, only to have Chihiro summon dragon-form Haku, who swept Chii off the board. 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.

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 Chess Rules before you submit your application.

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. Last year's special attacks included Sakura (Cardcaptor Sakura) summoning Kero and Spinel, Naruto (Naruto) doing Kage-Bunshin no Jitsu, and Yuna (Final Fantasy X-2) trying to summon Shiva but winding up with a Totoro instead. 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, but you may not use the same costume for Chess which you wear in the Masquerade or Formal Hall Costume Contest. You may apply to both Cosplay Human Chess and the Anime Dating Game with the same costume, but it 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.

IMPORTANT: This event will take place on Sunday, April 22, 2007. If you apply, you must make certain that you will not have to leave the convention early!

Group applications:

Groups should fill out one joint application form. If you wish to apply both as a group and as separate individuals, you should still fill out one joint group application form and list the individual characters -- we will accept the whole group or members from it as necessary. If you have a pair or group who want to apply as a special attack, you can note that on the application. If you think you would make a good special attack but have no partner to be on the board to summon you, you may apply on your own and we will try to find a partner for you.

The initial application cutoff for Cosplay Human Chess was March 1, 2007. We are not taking additional applications at this time.

• Cosplay Human Chess Information
• Cosplay Human Chess Rules & FAQ
• Cosplay Human Chess Participation Form for Minors