Chessbee, giantmushroom and I are setting up a human chess game together at our local mall, does anyone have any advice or experience on running such an event?

Arm the players with handguns.  It greatly speeds up the capturing process.

Do not use land mines ,,,,,,

Have someone purchase the Burger King costume.

Um, I am trying to get some real help here... so mind not posting unless you are actually giving realistic advice

If it's an event to show off ur local club or something i believe u ask the manager. But if it is just for you 3 then find a table and play ur chess shouldnt be an issue.

Do you have 16 white friends and 16 black friends? The rest shouldn't be so hard, just buy a chess mat and some costumes for your friends.

are you going to pay the human pieces and pawns anything???  try a local labor pool or homeless shelter....get with a local radio station.....Just thinking outloud

Get a class of shool chidren to do it for you, would that be easier ?

If you want only serious answers, don't ask on this forum.

Here's a serious answer from someone who's done two human chess games.  Encourage the "pieces" to act their parts.  Costumes make the game so much cooler, and more fun for the "pieces".  Although this depends greatly on how funloving your pieces are.  It's a lot more fun to trash talk the opposing King when he's wearing a bathrobe and crown.  Funny hats are great.  Some crazy popish looking hat apparel for the Bishops, anything looking like armor and a lance or toy lightsaber goes good for the Knight, and robes for the Kings, even if you are on low budget and must resort to get bathrobes, The funloving King player will use something like a robe to act well in character. 

Oh, a suggestion to the person moving the actual pieces.  From time to time, consult your pieces for council when deciding on a move.  Don't let them actually decide, but by all means ask for their opinions.  This can be hilarious.  It's funny to listen to them vouch for themselves and then bicker about who deserves to move..."well I've been standing on this square for the past 15 moves!"  "well you're a pawn, Mark.  that's your lot in life..."

Happy playing!  If you're anywhere near Detroit, I'd jump in.  Hope you get some fun people to be the pieces!

Keep them motivated. You want the people on the board not to get bored. And especialy keep the people playing pawns motivated and happy. Because really....Who wants to be a pawn? 

There was a guy who got married on a chessboard. Everybody wore costumes. They played out a famous game, although I forget which one -- probably the Evergreen Game or something old. All I remember is the King got chased out to the middle of the board and the queen mated him (figuratively).

Height and costumes are probably 2 factors to consider. Perhaps go with children for pawns, big football players or bodybuilders for rooks and knights, pretty women for the 2 queens of course, and maybe local priests for your bishops to make it more authentic.

A theme would also be good. Red Sox vs. Yankees, for example. Or if there is a local rivalry in your community, even better, as long as everybody realizes it's all in fun.

And of course, upload a video to YouTube.