Create an object of random class in kotlin

I learned java and python in high school and I became very comfortable with python. I have recently started to learn kotlin, mainly for fun (the keyword for defining a function is fun so it has to be a fun language, right), but I have a little problem.

Let's suppose I have a hierarchy of classes for Chess pieces:

abstract class Piece {
    ...
}

class Rook : Piece() {
    ...
}

class Bishop : Piece() {
    ...
}
.
.
.

I am taking input from the user to generate the board, so if the user types r, I need to create a Rook object, if he types b, I need to create a Bishop etc.

In python, I'd probably use a dictionary that maps the input string to the corresponding class, so I can create an object of the correct type:

class Piece:
    ...


class Rook(Piece):
    ...


class Bishop(Piece):
    ...
.
.
.


input_map = {
    'r': Rook,
    'b': Bishop,
    ...
}

s = input_map[input()]()  # use user input as key and create a piece of the correct type

I was really amazed by this pattern when I discovered it. In java, I had to use a switch case or a bunch of if else if to achieve the same result, which is not the end of the world, especially if I abstract it into a separate function, but it's not as nice as the python approach.

I want to do the same thing in kotlin, and I was wondering if there is a similar pattern for kotlin since it's a modern language like python (I know, I know, python isn't new, but I think it's very modern). I tried to look online, but it seems like I can't store a class (class, not an object) in a variable or a map like I can in python.

Am I wrong about it? Can I use a similar pattern in kotlin or do I have to fall back to the when statement (or expression)?

If I am not mistaken, a similar pattern could be achieved in java using reflection. I never got to learn reflection in java deeply, but I know it's a way to use classes dynamically, what I can do for free in python. I also heard that in java, reflection should be used as a last resort because it's inefficient and it's considered "black magic" if you understand my meaning. Does it mean that I need to use reflection to achieve that result in kotlin? And if so, is it recommended to use reflection in kotlin, and is it efficient?

I'd like to know how I can approach this problem, and I accept multiple answers and additional solutions I didn't come up with. Thanks in advance.