Chess is a timeless game of logic, strategy, and critical thinking.
It sounds intimidating, however, Duolingo has made learning Chess easy and fun with its new Chess course.
In this guide, we have shared all that you need to know about how to play Duolingo Chess on iPhone & iPad.
Duolingo is a free, effective language learning platform with personalised lessons, research-backed methods, and more.
The app has gained popularity due to its bite-sized lessons that make the process of learning a new language fun.
Duolingo Chess
Duolingo Chess is currently available for iOS users only.
The new course is yet to launch on Android. The Duolingo Chess course is third in line after Maths and Music, which is not based on any language.
It is only available in English; however, support for other languages will be available soon.
The course begins by learning how each piece moves—and gradually builds toward more advanced strategies.
There is no memorising; all you learn about how to play the game is by actually doing so.
Download Chess On Duolingo
- To begin the learning process, download the Duolingo app from the App Store (IOS).
- Tap on the Language flag to see all the new courses.
- You will see “Chess” as one of the new options, alongside Math and Music.
- Tap on Chess to select it, and then click on Continue to add the course to your profile.
- As soon as you click, you get a question, “How well do you know chess?” with some options
- I’m a total beginner.
- I know a bit, but could use a refresher.
- I know how to play, I’m ready for tactics.
- You can then choose to start as a total beginner or jump into more advanced lessons.
- That’s it.
How To Learn Chess on Duolingo?
- The Duolingo chess course uses puzzles and matches against the in-game tutor “Oscar” to teach you how to play the game in an easy and fun manner.
- Duolingo’s spaced repetition algorithm helps learners retain what they’ve learned.
- The course teaches learners how the pieces move, key rules, and foundational tactics.
- Lessons gradually increase in difficulty. This step encourages independent problem-solving.
Learning how to play chess on Duolingo with Oscar is fun with playful visuals, bite-sized lessons, and more. 75% of the course is puzzle-based to sharpen your problem-solving skills.
The rest is made up of matches with Oscar, your chess coach, where you can apply what you have learnt. This step helps you gain confidence and makes you more proficient in the game.
With the help of Oscar, you’ll gain confidence and rise towards a 1500 Elo rating—a strong intermediate level.
TIPS
- Update the App: Ensure your Duolingo app is updated to the latest version from the App Store, as the chess course is a relatively recent addition.
- Regional Availability: Duolingo Chess may not be available in all regions simultaneously. If you do not see the option, it might not be released in your location yet, and you may need to wait.
- Device Variations: While available on both iPhone and iPad, the rollout can sometimes vary between devices or users in the beta program.
The course is designed to make chess approachable and fun, so enjoy learning chess on Duolingo.