Duolingo has announced that its beta testing phase is now live, allowing users to learn and practice chess in the popular language learning app. The lessons are designed to be beginner-friendly, starting from square one with explanations of how each piece moves.
According to Edwin Bodge, senior product manager at Duolingo, the platform aims to cater to newcomers who may not be familiar with advanced concepts. “We really saw a great opportunity to try and increase access to the game,” he said.
The chess lessons follow a similar progression system to other Duolingo courses, such as Spanish or math, but are tailored to accommodate players of all skill levels. Users will have access to hints for each lesson, with feedback provided through interactions that mimic real matches.
While Duolingo Max users may be familiar with an “Explain My Answer” feature that offers explanations for mistakes in language lessons, this feature is not currently available for chess. However, the app plans to implement a similar system using AI and model training to better explain incorrect moves.
The new chess lessons are set to roll out on iOS in mid-May, with plans to bring them to Android devices and more languages in the coming months. With Duolingo’s efforts, the platform hopes to attract a whole generation of people interested in learning the game.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/knight-takes-pawn-chess-lessons-are-coming-to-duolingo