Duolingo will soon expand its offerings to include a new skill: chess.
The upcoming chess course will feature engaging puzzles, such as placing a knight in the right position to master its L-shaped movement or executing a checkmate on a cornered king. Learners will also have the chance to play “mini-matches” or full games against Duolingo’s Oscar character, who acts as a coach throughout the learning experience.
During a recent video call, Duolingo showcased a brief demo of the chess course, and it looks promising for learners. According to Edwin Bodge, the group’s product manager, the mission is to “make chess as accessible as possible.” The course will cater to various skill levels, allowing individuals to join based on their existing knowledge of the game.
Chess will join the ranks of subjects like music and math that, although not language-based, are still available for practice on Duolingo. When I inquired about potential plans for courses on other games, staff software engineer Sammi Siegel mentioned that “while there are currently no specific plans to discuss, we’re observing how this launch goes before making any further decisions.”
The chess course will initially roll out in beta testing on iOS in English, as confirmed by Duolingo’s PR director, Monica Earle. She anticipates that within four to six weeks, a larger group of iOS users will be able to access it, followed by availability on Android and in additional languages in the future.
