In a surprising move, Duolingo dives into chess education, aiming to make the game accessible to millions worldwide. Known globally for its language-learning platform, Duolingo announced chess lessons will join its popular educational offerings.

Duolingo Expands Beyond Languages, Launches Interactive Chess Lessons

Duolingo’s decision taps into the skyrocketing global popularity of chess, boosted by recent trends and online platforms. Chess has rapidly grown as a social phenomenon, fueled by high-profile tournaments, celebrity matches, and streaming on Twitch and YouTube. Now, Duolingo wants to help users worldwide master strategies previously limited to traditional chess academies or expensive private lessons.

Gamified Learning and Global Impact

The chess program will use Duolingo’s proven gamified learning methods, known for being engaging and user-friendly. Users will find interactive puzzles, mini-games, and lessons created to enhance strategic thinking. Lessons range from fundamental rules to advanced chess tactics, tailored for both beginners and experienced players.

Luis von Ahn, Duolingo CEO, highlighted this expansion as part of Duolingo’s broader mission to democratize education through technology. “Our aim remains unchanged—making high-quality education free, fun, and available to everyone,” he said. Chess lessons align perfectly with this vision, promoting cognitive skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and mental discipline.

Experts predict Duolingo’s entry could significantly impact chess education globally. Chess.com and other chess platforms have popularized the game, but none have Duolingo’s massive global reach or linguistic accessibility. Multilingual support will allow users to learn chess terms and strategies in their native languages, reducing barriers previously faced by non-English speakers.

This initiative coincides with Duolingo’s recent expansions, including math and music lessons, indicating a clear strategy towards comprehensive educational services. Industry analysts suggest this initiative could accelerate Duolingo’s growth by attracting new demographics who may later explore other learning content on the platform.

Early user feedback has shown enthusiasm, with chess communities praising the initiative for potential to grow chess participation globally. Online chess streamer Hikaru Nakamura stated, “This could introduce chess to countless people who never considered playing before.”

Chess lessons on Duolingo launch initially on mobile and desktop apps, with future updates promising expanded interactive content and competitive features. With millions already signed up to learn languages, the platform expects strong uptake from both existing users and new learners.