Duolingo will soon start offering chess lessons

Engadget - Apr 22nd, 2025

Duolingo is set to expand its educational offerings by adding chess lessons to its app, joining its existing non-language courses like music and math. Announced by Senior Product Manager Edwin Bodge, the chess feature will start in beta on the iOS app and is designed for beginner to medium-level players. The lessons will adapt to the user's skill level, offering tutorials on basic piece movements for newcomers and mini-puzzles for more experienced players. Users will initially play against Duolingo's character Oscar, with hints provided to aid learning. The feature will grow in complexity as users progress, although playing against other learners is not yet available.

This development marks a significant shift for Duolingo as it continues to diversify its educational platform beyond traditional language learning. By incorporating chess, Duolingo aims to make the game more accessible to a broader audience, potentially increasing interest and engagement in strategic thinking skills. The company plans to expand these lessons to Android and offer them in multiple languages, reflecting its commitment to global accessibility and user experience enhancement. This move could potentially influence how digital platforms approach skill-based education, emphasizing interactive and adaptive learning methods.

Education Technology Chess Duolingo I Os Edwin Bodge Beta Release Online Learning

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RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and largely accurate overview of Duolingo's upcoming chess lessons, aligning well with verified information. It effectively communicates the main features and goals of the new addition, though it could benefit from a more diverse range of sources and perspectives to enhance balance and source quality. The story is timely and relevant to users of educational technology, with moderate potential to engage and inform its audience. While the topic is not controversial, it holds public interest for those interested in cognitive skill development and online learning. Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, though additional context and transparency about the strategic goals and educational impact of the chess lessons could further enrich the reader's understanding.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate and aligns well with the available information from credible sources. It accurately reports that Duolingo will introduce chess lessons to its app, initially available in beta on iOS, and targets beginner to medium-level players. The story correctly describes the adaptive nature of the lessons and the inclusion of mini-puzzles and full games against an AI character, Oscar. The mention of future plans to expand to Android and other languages is also supported by external sources. However, minor details, such as the exact timing of the beta release, could benefit from more precise information, but overall, the factual claims are consistent with the verified details.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view of Duolingo's new chess feature, focusing on its educational value and accessibility. It highlights the company's efforts to cater to different skill levels and mentions potential future features like multiplayer. However, the perspective is somewhat limited to the company's viewpoint, primarily through statements from a senior product manager. Including viewpoints from users or educators could provide a more comprehensive picture of the feature's potential impact and reception.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey the main points about Duolingo's new chess lessons. It logically outlines the feature's components, such as the adaptive learning approach and the types of puzzles. The tone is neutral and informative, making the content accessible to a general audience. However, additional context about the significance of chess in education or its relevance to Duolingo's mission could provide a more rounded understanding.

Source quality

The story references a credible source, Cnet, and includes direct quotes from a senior product manager at Duolingo, which lends authority to the information presented. However, the article could benefit from additional sources to enhance its reliability, such as insights from chess educators or users who have tested the beta version. The reliance on a single primary source limits the depth of perspective, though the source itself is reputable.

Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the new feature but lacks detailed insights into the methodology behind the chess lessons' development or the decision-making process at Duolingo. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or provide a comprehensive background on why Duolingo chose to expand into chess. Greater transparency about the strategic goals behind this addition and its expected educational outcomes would enhance the reader's understanding.