Popular learning platform Duolingo, known for its engaging language courses, is expanding its offerings by introducing chess lessons to its app. Joining existing non-language subjects like music and math, the chess course is aimed at beginners and intermediate-level players who want to understand or improve their skills in the game. The feature will initially roll out in beta on the iOS version of the app by mid-May.
According to Edwin Bodge, Senior Product Manager at Duolingo, the goal is to make chess more approachable. The course will begin by gauging a user’s current knowledge of the game. For complete novices, the app will even teach how each piece moves. For those with some experience, Duolingo’s in-app character Oscar will challenge learners through bite-sized puzzles, requiring them to use specific pieces strategically, such as capturing opponents using a rook. While the app provides hints and guidance, it won’t restrict players to a single “correct” move but will instead inform them when a better option is available.
Beyond puzzles, users will eventually be able to play full games against Oscar, with the difficulty adjusting to their level. However, multiplayer functionality to play against fellow learners is still in development and won’t be available in the beta version. Duolingo also plans to expand the course to Android and offer lessons in languages other than English in the near future.
This move is part of Duolingo’s broader strategy to combine fun and education across diverse subjects, making learning more interactive and widely accessible now extending even to classic strategy games like chess for its Indian and global user base.
