Duolingo chess goes live

Duolingo is expanding beyond languages and into live strategy matchups, rolling out its Chess Player-vs-Player mode (PvP) to Android devices after a successful iOS debut in late 2025.

The move gives millions of Android users access to Duolingo’s beginner-friendly chess course, now with the ability to compete against real opponents in real time. The feature marks another step in the learning app’s push to gamify education and make skill-building more interactive.

The Android expansion is especially significant in mobile-first markets such as Indonesia, where Duolingo has seen strong engagement. In a study involving Indonesian students, 75 percent of respondents said they felt more motivated and engaged when learning through gamified experiences, underscoring demand for playful and interactive learning formats.

Built on the Duolingo Method, which emphasizes learning by doing instead of memorization, the chess course introduces users to the fundamentals of the game before gradually increasing complexity. Learners begin by understanding how each piece moves, then build their skills through puzzle-solving and guided mini matches led by Oscar, Duolingo’s in-game chess coach.

Roughly 75 percent of the course is puzzle-based, offering hands-on practice in core tactics. The remaining lessons involve mini and full games, allowing learners to apply what they have learned in practical scenarios. As lessons progress, users move from guided play to independently solving checkmate challenges in bite-sized sessions.

“We’ve seen strong early engagement from learners exploring Chess PvP mode on iOS, and bringing the experience to Android allows us to reach even more people, especially in mobile-first markets like Indonesia,” said Irene Tong, regional marketing manager for Southeast Asia. “One product insight we’ve observed is that playing against another person can feel intimidating. Looking ahead, we’re working on a range of updates to make PvP feel more welcoming and enjoyable — especially for players who are just starting out. At its core, chess is about connecting with others and strengthening your critical thinking skills. We want to help make that experience more accessible and empowering for our learners.”

To access PvP mode, learners can head to the Matches tab and tap “Play a Person,” where they are paired with opponents of similar skill levels. The addition of Android users also increases match availability worldwide.

“One thing we’re especially excited about is that bringing PvP mode to Android adds significant ‘liquidity’ to PvP matches. In practice, that means shorter wait times globally — especially for higher ELO players,” Tong added.

Duolingo is also developing updates to enhance the overall chess experience. Planned features include the ability to play with friends, game review tools, expanded web access, and more advanced lessons aimed at experienced players.

To promote the launch offline, Duolingo hosted its first chess pop-up activation at Taman Literasi Blok M in Jakarta from 6 to 13 February. The venue featured a giant chess board, live puzzles, mini lessons, and appearances by the brand’s mascot, King Duo.

The chess course is free on Android and currently available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.