Petromidia Refinery, Romania’s largest refinery, hosted an outdoor chess competition that brought together more than 200 children aged between 5 and 19. Organized as part of the national “Chess in Schools” program, in partnership with the Constanța County School Inspectorate, the event welcomed children of Rompetrol employees, students from Constanța County, as well as participants from other regions of the country.
“At first glance, chess and a refinery may seem to belong to completely different worlds. Both rely on strategy, discipline, analysis and the ability to make responsible decisions. At Petromidia, these skills are at the heart of industrial performance; on the chessboard, they help children develop their thinking and confidence in their own decisions. This is why we chose to host this competition and open the refinery doors to the community. We believe that investing in education and in the development of younger generations is one of the most valuable investments a company can make for the future,” said Sorin Graure, General Manager of Rompetrol Rafinare.
The competition was held under the Swiss-system format over five rounds, with free participation. All children received certificates, trophies, medals and prizes in recognition of their involvement, perseverance and competitive spirit.
Rompetrol has been a partner of the national “Chess in Schools” program since 2021, supporting its development and expansion through educational activities, competitions for children, teacher training and the promotion of chess as a learning tool in schools across Romania.
“Every year, we organize more than 365 chess competitions and events across the country, giving children the opportunity to learn, compete and build confidence in their own abilities. The competition at Petromidia is particularly special – for the first time, one of Romania’s most important industrial facilities is hosting such an educational event. We are pleased that most of the participants come from communities across Dobrogea, where the ‘Chess in Schools’ program is reaching an increasing number of educational institutions. Partnerships like this demonstrate that when education, communities and the business sector work together, children gain access to experiences that inspire and motivate them, while helping them develop skills they will use throughout their lives,” said Vlad Ungureanu, founding teacher and national coordinator of the “Chess in Schools” program.
Over more than five years of activity, the program has reached more than 150,000 children across Romania, with the involvement of over 2,000 teachers and the free distribution of more than 80,000 textbooks and educational materials to schools in both urban and rural areas.
Through chess, the program contributes to the development of essential skills for the future, including critical thinking, concentration, discipline, perseverance, creativity and decision-making.
