The Masterminds Chess Club is passing down knowledge to the younger generation in Syracuse.

The club meets every Friday at the Salt City Market.

During the lessons, students get to play against each other or, in some cases, against the instructors.

John Elliot, one of multiple instructors for the chess club, says the goal of the event isn’t for students to become grandmasters; it’s to develop stronger critical-thinking skills.

“It’s all about kids need to think about what they do before they do it, think about what they say before they say it, and it’s just like life,” Elliot said. “Chess is on the chess board. You got to think about what move you make.”

Elliot started teaching young people the game long before he started the club. One of his early success stories is Julius Tyler, who says the game helps him make better decisions.

“We met when I was younger,” he said. “I was in a group home facility, making certain decisions in my life, and he introduced me to chess, and that’s when chess changed my life. It’s more than just a game; it’s based on decision-making and stuff like that. Two people, 16 pieces, black and white; just make moves on your thought process, and it teaches you not to make the wrong moves.”

Elliot says the Masterminds Chess Club has taught more than 100 kids to play chess in the past three years.