Duolingo is no longer just a language learning app. Now, the iconic green owl will also teach users how to play chess.
According to a report from The Verge, the new feature is already available in the beta versions for iOS and is expected to reach iPhone users in the coming weeks.
The idea is to use mini-games and puzzles to teach users how to play chess during a match against the Duolingo character Oscar.
Duolingo aims to make chess a more accessible game, according to The Verge. “[Chess is] one of those things that… anyone of any age can learn,” said Edwin Bodge, senior product manager at Duolingo, in an interview with CNET.
“But it’s also something that requires 10,000 hours of theory to really master. We thought chess would fit really well in the Duolingo environment.”
Big news: the next subject @duolingo will teach is… chess ♟️
Strategy, logic, and a little bit of trash talk—coming soon to your app. pic.twitter.com/jkuOvYFSJW
— Luis von Ahn (@LuisvonAhn) April 22, 2025
Photo and video: Unsplash / X @LuisvonAhn. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
