Scott Varagona wins Alabama chess championship title, upsets at the World Cup Published on September 15, 2017 By Michael Ciamarra National Chess Master Scott Varagona won his seventh Alabama chess championship title over the Labor Day weekend. Varagona, who is a professor at University of Montevallo, won five games straight and drew his last round game to […]
Chess in Alabama
Alabama chess life here and there By Michael Ciamarra on June 22, 2016 at 7:00 AM, updated June 22, 2016 at 7:08 AM Summer chess activities in Alabama are in full swing. Tournaments and chess camps throughout the state are going strong. Several of our young chess players will be traveling to play in national […]
MLK Chess
Checkmates at MLK chess tournaments and the unstoppable World Chess ChampionBy Michael Ciamarra on January 26, 2015 at 11:08 AM The annual MLK chess tournaments, held in Montgomery and Birmingham, attracted several of Alabama’s top players and up-and-coming scholastic players. Both events were organized and directed by Caesar Lawrence and rated by the United States […]
Alabama chess record turnout in Madison
(Photo: Ranae Bartlett, Madison City Chess League) Alabama chess record turnout in MadisonBy Michael Ciamarra on November 30, 2014 at 7:35 AM, updated November 30, 2014 at 8:22 AM The Queen’s Quest Chess Tournament attracted 157 students to compete in a five-round tournament on Nov. 22, at the Columbia Elementary School, in Madison. The Madison […]
Is chess the key to academic success?
Could chess instruction be the key to academic success in Birmingham classrooms?By Evan Belangeron July 14, 2014 at 3:14 PM, updated July 14, 2014 at 3:54 PM BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Unless you’re a chess fan, you probably didn’t know that the modern game of chess dates back to 15th century Europe and the origins of […]
Fantastic National Chess Day Initiative in Alabama
National Chess Day Alabama promoting chess while helping veterans and children By Michael Ciamarra AL.com Visitors and patients walking through the Birmingham Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), in downtown Birmingham, were treated to an unusual sight this past Saturday morning, October 12. A number of tables in symmetrical rows were set up displaying chess sets […]
Special National Chess Day for Veterans
National Chess Day brings new event to Alabama veteransFriday, October 11, 2013 11:09 AM By Pam Huff Saturday is National Chess Day. For the first time in the nation an event on this day will be held just for veterans. In Birmingham, the Birmingham Veterans Medical Center (VAMC) will host a free chess event for […]
State chess championship held in Madison
MADISON, Ala. (WAAY) – Kings, queens, and knights filling James Clemons High School in Madison Saturday for a big competition. The Alabama Scholastic Chess Championship featured top chess players from around the state, battling it out for top honors. This is the first year for the competition to be held in the Tennessee Valley, with […]
Helping one kid at a time
Changing minds, one move at a time February 7, 2013 Walk into the cafeteria at William James Christian Middle School in South Roebuck on any afternoon, and what you find might surprise you — students playing chess. Lined up across two tables, students compete with each other for one hour each afternoon. Taught by former […]
Teach a child chess and they’ll play for a lifetime
Chess club doing well in fourth year December 6, 2012 By Michael Mee – News-Aegis Thu Dec 06, 2012, 11:54 AM CSTThe St. Clair NewsSt. Clair County — There’s a saying that goes: “Give a child a toy and they’ll play for a day, teach a child chess and they’ll play for a lifetime.” For […]