University of Montevallo faculty member garners fifth chess title

Scott Varagona, assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Montevallo and sponsor of UM’s chess club, recently won the 2013 Alabama State Chess Championship, the largest annual chess tournament in Alabama. Varagona, who achieved the title of National Master in 2012, has won the state title five times. He scored 5.5 points out of 6 (five wins, one draw, no losses) to claim a clear first place win in the open section, which is the top division.