Chess and hip hop aren't usually things that go together. But the creator of the hip hop chess club is trying to set kids up for success while enjoying music. Eric "Krook Rock" Mercado is from the east coast, but his friends in the Milwaukee area told him he should share his love for music and chess with others. He relates it all to life, and lessons that can be taught to the youth. "Thinking ahead, not being impulsive in the moves that you make and the decisions that you take," Mercado said. "Always thinking of the consequences of your actions." Mercado started a club in Rhode Island and another in Connecticut. Other mentors are happy to be a part of it."Chess is the game of life," Alberto Vallejos said. "Once you combine the two, you'll be a lot smarter, a lot faster."If you're interested in attending a meeting of the hip-hop chess club, they plan on meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Just For Today Recovery Club, 1900 S. 60th Street in West Allis.

Chess and hip hop aren't usually things that go together. But the creator of the hip hop chess club is trying to set kids up for success while enjoying music.

Eric "Krook Rock" Mercado is from the east coast, but his friends in the Milwaukee area told him he should share his love for music and chess with others. He relates it all to life, and lessons that can be taught to the youth.


"Thinking ahead, not being impulsive in the moves that you make and the decisions that you take," Mercado said. "Always thinking of the consequences of your actions."

Mercado started a club in Rhode Island and another in Connecticut. Other mentors are happy to be a part of it.

"Chess is the game of life," Alberto Vallejos said. "Once you combine the two, you'll be a lot smarter, a lot faster."

If you're interested in attending a meeting of the hip-hop chess club, they plan on meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Just For Today Recovery Club, 1900 S. 60th Street in West Allis.