Photo credit: www.theverge.com

Duolingo Introduces New Chess Course to Enhance Learning Experience

Duolingo is set to expand its educational offerings by introducing a chess course, which aims to teach players the fundamentals of the game in an engaging manner.

This new initiative will employ a series of interactive puzzles, such as positioning a knight correctly or executing a checkmate against a confined king, to facilitate learning the intricacies of chess. In addition, users will have the opportunity to engage in “mini-matches” or complete games against Duolingo’s virtual character, Oscar, who will act as a guide throughout the learning process.

During a recent demonstration of the chess course, Duolingo’s product manager Edwin Bodge highlighted the team’s goal: “to make chess as accessible as possible.” The course has been designed to cater to a broad spectrum of players, accommodating various skill levels from beginners to more experienced players.

The addition of chess follows Duolingo’s previous offerings that include diverse subjects like music and math—areas that extend beyond their language-focused roots. When questioned about the potential for future game-based courses, staff software engineer Sammi Siegel indicated that while there are no immediate plans to explore this avenue, the team is eager to evaluate the reception of the chess course before considering additional subjects.

The chess course is currently rolling out in beta on iOS in English, as confirmed by Duolingo’s public relations director, Monica Earle. She anticipates that within the next four to six weeks, a broader audience on iOS will gain access. Following this initial phase, plans are in place to extend the course to Android and introduce it in multiple languages.

Source
www.theverge.com