Duolingo Chess Campaign Features R Praggnanandhaa

Duolingo Chess just dropped a bombshell campaign featuring India’s chess sensation, R Praggnanandhaa, to launch its new chess course. This isn’t your grandpa’s board game promo; it’s a fresh, stylish take that’s turning heads across India and making chess look cooler than ever.

Duolingo Chess Campaign Features R Praggnanandhaa

The Duolingo chess campaign, crafted by creative agency Talented and produced by Potli Baba, hits billboards in Chennai and other cities, showing R Praggnanandhaa in a sleek, modern avatar. Forget the nerdy stereotypes; here he is rocking a contemporary twist on Madras checks, a nod to his Tamil Nadu roots, where India has produced so many grandmasters.

Posed next to Duolingo’s iconic green owl mascot, he looks confident, sharp, and utterly aspirational, like a pop icon ready to checkmate the world. A campaign film adds self-aware humor, with Praggnanandhaa facing a skeptical interviewer who questions if chess belongs on a learning app alongside languages and math. It drives home the point: chess can be fun, accessible, and far from intimidating.

Duolingo chess course has exploded in popularity, especially in India, a chess powerhouse. What started as a language app now offers math, music, and this strategic gem, designed to welcome beginners without the elitist vibe.

Karandeep Singh Kapany, Regional Marketing Director at Duolingo, nailed it: “Chess has long carried the perception of being overly intellectual or inaccessible. Our ambition was to change that, to make the game inviting rather than intimidating.” The result? Netizens are buzzing, praising Praggnanandhaa’s glow-up and the brand’s respect for the chess community.

Creatives Shania Pereira and Pearl Alex from Talented explained the vision: “Praggnanandhaa deserves to be portrayed as the force he is, but as never seen before: iconic, commanding, and unmistakably stylish.” Director duo Akimbo brought that energy to life, seamlessly blending sport, fashion, and culture. The visuals have sparked love online, with fans excited about chess getting the mainstream spotlight it deserves.

Praggnanandhaa, the young grandmaster who’s already a household name, embodies this shift perfectly. From challenging world champs to now starring in a campaign that democratises his game, he’s proving chess stars can be stylish heroes too. This move aligns with Duolingo’s goal to expand learning in India, where chess fever runs high.

All in all, Duolingo’s campaign is pure genius, reframing chess as approachable and exciting while celebrating Praggnanandhaa’s prowess. If you’re eyeing your first checkmate or sharpening your skills, this course might just be your next move. Stay tuned; the board is set, and the game’s just heating up.