Jakarta, Indonesia – Duolingo is rolling out its Chess Player-vs-Player (PvP) mode on Android, letting users dive into beginner-friendly chess lessons and test their skills against real opponents.
The course applies the Duolingo Method, which emphasises learning by doing rather than memorisation, to one of the world’s most iconic strategy games. This gamified approach aims to make chess more accessible, particularly for beginners.
Learners start with the basics, such as how each piece moves, and gradually build their skills through puzzles and mini matches guided by Oscar, Duolingo’s in-app chess coach. Around 75% of the course is puzzle-based, providing hands-on practice with core tactics, while the remainder includes mini and full games to apply what they’ve learned. Lessons are designed to progress from guided moves to solving checkmates independently, all in short, manageable sessions.
PvP mode can be accessed via the Matches tab, where learners tap “Play a Person” to be paired with opponents of similar skill levels, adding a social and competitive element to the experience.
“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,” said Irene Tong, regional marketing manager for Southeast Asia at Duolingo.
The Android launch follows a successful iOS debut of Chess PvP mode in late 2025. Duolingo is planning updates to further enhance the course, including the ability to play with friends, game review features, a web version of chess, and more advanced content. These efforts aim to support learners at different stages and make the experience more engaging.
Tong explained, “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.”
“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,” she added.
To bring the course beyond the app, Duolingo hosted its first chess pop-up activation in Jakarta at Taman Literasi Blok M from 6 to 13 February. Visitors could meet Duolingo’s mascot, King Duo, explore a giant chessboard, and take part in challenges inspired by the app. The activation also featured live puzzles, mini lessons, and rewards.
Duolingo’s Chess course is free on Android and is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.
