The opening ceremony of the 7th edition of Kings Tournament Romgaz took place on the 6th of October in the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (Piata Romana Nr.6). This international tournament is organized by the Sports Club “Elisabeta Polihroniade” and is a part of the Grand Slam circuit. The Kings Tournament will be a double round robin competition with 5 world-class participants: Fabiano Caruana (Italy, GM, 2779), the former World Champion Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine, GM, 2756), Wang Hao (China, GM, 2736), Radjabov Teimour (Azerbaijan, GM, 2733) and Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, (Romania, GM, 2665). This year’s edition will be played in the Magna Auditorium and Conference Hall "Virgil Madgearu" of the  Bucharest University of Economic Studies – a partner of the Kings Tournament. The rounds will start every day from the 7th until the 17th October at 3:30 p.m. (last round starts at 1:30 p.m) and entrance will be free for spectators.

McDonald's Simul

Wang Hao didn't fully have a "day off". While his opponent's were battling over the board he was gracious enough to give a simultaneous exhibition for young players of Bucharest! The simul was held at a McDonald's that is just a stone throws away from the playing hall.

The General Manager of McDonalds, Daniel Boaje, inaugurated the exhibition

The only draw of the event: twelve year old Andreea Nastase

A young player proving her strength in the simul

What can be happier for a kid than a simul against a grandmaster and at McDonald's?

"Excuse me, Mr. GM, that's a Sicilian you are facing"

At the end Wang Hao showed who is boss and the simul was a 17.5-0.5 score in favor of him

Round 6

Caruana keeps his lead, he simply couldn't break Nisipeanu's defense today though

"I played all natural moves, and suddenly I was worse!" - Ponomariov

This man turned 30 yesterday but Radjabov did not give him any gifts

Ponomariov's 30th birthday party!

The organizers hosted a little dinner in honor of Ponomariov's 30th birthday. Here are some of the pictures:

A toast

Cheers

And cake!

Player Post-Mortems:

Analysis of Round 6

Information and photos by Dorian Rogozenco

Standings

Schedule

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games will be broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.