World Chess Championships unveil 'sexual' logo for 2018 tournament

  • 20/12/2017
The 'pawnographic' image has created quite the debate in the chess community.
The 'pawnographic' image has created quite the debate in the chess community. Photo credit: World Chess

The chess world is up in arms after organisers for the sport's world championships unveiled a logo that has since been dubbed "pawnographic".

The image shows two chequered bodies entwined around a chess board, and World Chess say it is "unashamedly sexual".

However, not everyone's happy about it.

Australian chess master David Smerdon wasn't laughing at the twist on words saying the organisers "had one job'", adding "No, this is not a joke" on Twitter.

He wasn't alone in his criticism, with women's chess pioneer Susan Polgar suggesting the image was too racy and inappropriate for children.

World Chess has defended the logo, created by Moscow-based studio Shuka Design, saying it is "controversial and trendy, just like the host city".

"We've been busy for over a year working with artists and designers to develop a perfect key visual," a spokesperson said.

"This is the image that will be associated with the 2018 match and which will find its way onto mugs, posters, outdoor displays, venue design, media, broadcasting graphics and more."

Newshub.