2018 World Championship in London

[Chris Rice]

The new logo is certainly causing a buzz in the media according to this article in the Telegraph. Malcolm Pein likes it and World Chess are not apologising for the obvious sexual references.

"The chosen image shows two chequered bodies entwined around a chess board. It is, World Chess say, unashamedly sexual. Perhaps, one could even say, pawnographic."

Other reactions:

"The British Grandmaster Nigel Short, a long-time critic of the game's governing body Fide, said the organisers were "perhaps suggesting that they are giving the chess world a good f------."

"No, this is not a joke," said Australian international David Smerdon on Twitter, before adding: "You had one job!"

Susan Polgar, the pioneer of women's chess, questioned whether the racy image was appropriate for children.

On the venue question, Agon used a converted warehouse for the New York match and are using the same for the Berlin Candidates in March, presumably on costs grounds. So it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it ends up being some huge, otherwise disused, building in the Docklands.

[Alex Holowczak]

So it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it ends up being some huge, otherwise disused, building in the Docklands.

I just googled "huge, disused building in" and Google auto-completed it to "huge, disused building in Detroit". Poor Detroit.

Perhaps Stratford is the other possibility?

[David Sedgwick]

Other reactions:

"Iranian officials claimed the jagged numbers in fact spelt out the word "Zion", some claimed to spot elements of a Swastika and others said it sparked epileptic fits."

As the article explains, those were actually reactions to the logo for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

[Chris Rice]

Other reactions:

"Iranian officials claimed the jagged numbers in fact spelt out the word "Zion", some claimed to spot elements of a Swastika and others said it sparked epileptic fits."

As the article explains, those were actually reactions to the logo for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

If only I had read it properly David . Have now edited that from my post upthread.

[Chris Rice]

An example of modern art? Have they said who designed it?

Shuka Design designed the new logo. They also did the 2016 one for New York and here are their comments on that. https://shuka.design/world-chess-championship.

"Thus, we have proven to the most brilliant minds on the planet that we are not a bunch of squares."

[Christopher Kreuzer]

An example of modern art? Have they said who designed it?

Shuka Design designed the new logo. They also did the 2016 one for New York and here are their comments on that. https://shuka.design/world-chess-championship.

"Thus, we have proven to the most brilliant minds on the planet that we are not a bunch of squares."

Yeah, some of that is worth preserving for posterity...

- "We had to show that Shuka is no ordinary pawn."
- "Then Shuka took over the middlegame."
- "So, it wasn’t the thought process anymore — it was the Empire State of mind."
- "the event was able to trade in more black and white pieces of merch than Black did in the “Polish Immortal”."
- "All that was left at the end was the spirit of intellectual competition."

I can't wait to see what logo they come up with for the 2020 WCC.
(or indeed their commentary on their design for the 2018 logo)
Do you think they will be able to resist all the 20:20 puns?

[MJMcCready]

So it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it ends up being some huge, otherwise disused, building in the Docklands.

I just googled "huge, disused building in" and Google auto-completed it to "huge, disused building in Detroit". Poor Detroit.

Perhaps Stratford is the other possibility?

It should be held in a casino in the west end. The majority of the games will probably be quite boring, so at least you could go and have a pint whilst frittering away money in something more interesting.

[Chris Rice]

The CEO and CTO of Chess.com play a game in the "logo" position https://www.chess.com/news/view/chess-c ... -logo-2688

Here's another Chess.com article with a video of Ilya Merenzon AGON CEO defending it https://www.chess.com/news/view/world-c ... goes-viral

It's got people talking about chess which is a good thing but I wonder what the outcome would have been if such a logo had been designed for the FIDE Rapid and Blitz in Saudi Arabia or is the logo just capturing the spirit of London?

[NickFaulks]

I wonder what the outcome would have been if such a logo had been designed for the FIDE Rapid and Blitz in Saudi Arabia

I think it could easily be an illustration from Arabian Nights.

[Stewart Reuben]

Surely Arabian Knights?

[Chris Rice]

In response to Danny King offering to stage the World Chess Championship in his front room, World Chess tweeted:
"Hi! We will keep it in mind:) But the venue will be announced this week!"

[Nick Grey]

One of the venues in The Strand or Theatre Land?
With the logo perhaps they are targeting Stringfellows or other similar type clubs in the Soho area.
Surely not within Winter Wonderland.
Not sure why anyone is thinking casinos which obviously exclude children.
I doubt we will get national live TV coverage as in Kasparov v Short nor additional money from the Government.
Perhaps the Mayor of London has a development vacancy where he was called in and stopped other developments.

[Nick Grey]

I'm trying to think whether I want 4 weeks off work for Chess. The world championship and London Chess classic.
As well as work in 4 weeks of midweek chess fixtures in a timetable where leagues have not considered extending the chess season from custom and practice.

There I was thinking about my birthday present in September being my boys taking me to an FA cup match and I may have to change my mind to a one day ticket to see a world chess championship held somewhere in London in November?

[JustinHorton]

One of the venues in The Strand or Theatre Land?

Croydon Travelodge just as likely

[Jonathan Bryant]

In response to Danny King offering to stage the World Chess Championship in his front room, World Chess tweeted:
"Hi! We will keep it in mind:) But the venue will be announced this week!"

Somewhat to my surprise, apparently it has been >>

https://twitter.com/leonwatson/status/1 ... 61283?s=21