Duolingo adds chess to sharpen minds
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Oscar will be your toughest challenge on Duolingo's new chess subject. Images: Courtesy of Duolingo
Duolingo is helping people learn chess beyond just checkmates with the launch of a new subject on its learning app.
Why it matters: It's another way the Pittsburgh-based tech company is expanding beyond language learning.
Driving the news: Chess is in early testing, Duolingo announced Tuesday.
- This is the company's first new subject on its app since music and math were added in 2023.
How it works: The goal is to make chess as accessible as possible, staff software engineer Sammi Siegel tells Axios.
- The app mostly uses lessons focused on solving short chess puzzles — think "capture the rook" — as well as mini-matches, where users earn points along the way.
- Players move on to full games against the app's chess character, Oscar, whose toupee flies off when you capture his queen.
- The rollout starts in English, with Duolingo looking to add more languages later.
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Between the lines: Chess aligns with Duolingo's mission and large audience base ranging from pre-teens to seniors, making it a great pick for the app's expansion, says group product manager Edwin Bodge.
- "If we can do something to pull you away from social media, and really train your brain and encourage critical thinking stills, that's our goal," Bodge said.
What they're saying: Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn says chess is an ideal fit for the company's goals.
- "It sharpens your brain, it's packed with strategy, and like language learning, it's a skill that gets better with practice."
What's next: Chess will roll out on iPhones at the end of May and this summer for Android users, per the company.