Cosplay Chess

Ever wanted to see your favourite characters fight each other? Thanks to Cosplay Chess now you can! No one knows what could happen as players move their pieces across a giant board. For the 12th edition of Otakuthon, the theme will be: A Surprise!

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Rules

  1. Entries can come from any sources: manga, video games, anime, etc. The same costume can be worn at the masquerade and Cosplay Chess. The chess pieces will be chosen based on their importance and the influence they could have on during the game. After all, this event shares a lot of similarities with a theater play. However, having a popular character does not necessarily guarantee an important position.
  2. You need to be pre-registered to participate in Cosplay Chess. You will have to show your pre-registration number to prove you are duly registered.
  3. The participants do not have to make their costumes.
  4. All costumes must be appropriate for the general public. Otakuthon reserves the right to cancel any entry that does not comply with this rule. All costumes must comply with the convention's rules. Moreover any and all weapons and accessories must comply with Otakuthon's Weapons Policy.
  5. l participants under 18 will need a signed waiver from their parent or legal guardian. You can get a waiver by writing to a member of the Cosplay Chess team to the following email: cosplaychess@otakuthon.com.
  6. You need to prepare and rehearse a “combat” scene and a “death” scene for the chess game. You may also need several alternate battle scenes in case your chess piece fights more than once during the game. For each scene, you can request help from third parties, but you need to mention it to the Cosplay Chess team beforehand. These people will be considered as “Support Pieces”. You can find the necessary information on the subject farther down the page or you can ask one of our staff members who can help you find a battle and/or death scene.
  7. No props that disperse are allowed. That means no confetti, no fake blood, no rose petals, nor anything that might disturb other people's footing.
  8. ou are required to attend the rehearsal the day before the game. For example, if the event takes place on Saturday, then the rehearsal would be Friday evening. Also, participants must arrive 2 hours before the start of the game, and not during the 2 hours preceding the game. Failure to comply with these 2 rules will result in the expulsion of the guilty parties.
  9. Other meetings will occur before the convention between May and August if necessary. They will help those that are not entirely comfortable with the idea of performing in front of an audience develop some confidence in their role within the chess game and with their battle and death scenes. It is highly recommended to attend at least one of them. The Cosplay Chess staff works hard to make the event better each year, and the active participation of everyone is greatly appreciated, especially since it is the participants that make the event enjoyable for the public. Details regarding those meetings will follow in a reasonable time frame.
  10. This is, after all, only playacting, as such any attack that can harm a fellow player or damage their costumes will not be tolerated. In short, be mindful of the other people involved.
  11. A picture of your character must be submitted with your entry form. Do not forget to include your real name, your email address and the fandom your character is from when you apply (the entry form can be found below). This is to facilitate contact with you and give you the details of the event.
  12. When applying, you are making a commitment to participate. If you are suddenly unable to attend Cosplay Chess, it is your responsibility to inform a member of the Cosplay Chess team by email as soon as possible. An unjustified absence will result in being barred from participating in the next year's Cosplay Chess match. You are required to arrive wearing the costume you have registered. Any unjustified last minute costume change will result in your expulsion from the activity.

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How to participate?

Note: You need to be pre-registered to the convention before you can apply.

To be on the chess board

The participants will be chosen amongst convention attendees.

No knowledge of chess is required besides the coordinates of the squares on the board (A1, G5, H6, etc.). The two chess players will give you your marching orders. The participants will be chosen amongst the applications received before June 1, 2019. After this date, further applications might be accepted if there are still slots available. Be sure to read the rules carefully before sending your application.

How to apply

Send an email to cosplaychess@otakuthon.com with the following information:

Special attacks (Support Pieces):

You can include other characters in your special attacks or your death scene. Those characters are Support Pieces.

Examples:

Support Pieces must be added to the character's application form with their own completed forms. Support Pieces may not fit on the chessboard.

Do you want to volunteer?

You can also volunteer to help run Cosplay Chess. You only need to send an email to the team director at cosplaychess@otakuthon.com.

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FAQ

How many people will be chosen?

We will select 24 to 32 people to be the various chess pieces that will be active on the chessboard. Act quickly to secure yourself a spot! In addition, please note that support pieces may not fit on the chessboard.

How can I apply?

Simply follow the procedure described in the application section.

When can I apply?

The deadline for applications is June 1, 2019. Only completed forms will be kept. All incomplete forms will have to be resent with the missing information before they can be processed.

I am under 18. Can I still apply?

Participants under 18 can apply by having a parent or legal guardian sign the appropriate waiver and sending it with the application. Please make sure that your parent/guardian knows the time of the chess match so that you are not forced to leave before the end. Also make sure they will be available at all times in case of emergency. Send your request at cosplaychess@otakuthon.com.

Is it OK that I didn't make my own costume?

Since this is not a contest, the submitted costumes do not have to have been made by the participant. They can have been designed by a tailor or contain pieces sold commercially. The submitted cosplays can also have been entered in other costumed contests, like masquerades from Otakuthon or other conventions. Cosplays from Otakuthon's masquerade are perfectly acceptable.

My costume has moving parts/big weapons/could disturb others. Is it a problem?

Participants must be able to move without assistance. The costume cannot impede, obstruct or injure other players on the board. It must fit within a 36 x 36 inches square, since those are the dimensions of the chessboard squares.

How do I know if I have been selected?

Everyone selected, including the understudies, will be contacted by email as soon as the decision is made. You must keep your contact information up to date and check your emails regularly to stay in contact with the Cosplay Chess team.

I have been selected! What do I need to do before the convention?

Participants will need to exchange emails frequently with the Cosplay Chess team during the weeks preceding the convention. Failure to communicate with the staff within a reasonable time frame will result in your expulsion from the chess game.

You have questions? Contact the Cosplay Chess team at cosplaychess@otakuthon.com or contact your representative player if you have already been selected.