First computer program to play in a human world championship

Chinook, a computer programme designed to play draughts/checkers, was first developed by scientists at the University of Alberta in Canada, in 1989. In 1990 it won the right to compete in the Draughts World Championship, by being rated second in the US nationals behind Marion Tinsley, one of the greatest draughts players of all time. Chinook won the world championship in 1994, but was retired by its creators before the 1996 competition.