Not all that practical?

This paper is concerned with the problem of constructing a computing routine or "program" for a modern general purpose computer which will enable it to play chess. Although perhaps of no practical importance, the question is of theoretical interest, and it is hoped that a satisfactory solution of this problem will act as a wedge in attacking other problems of a similar nature and of greater significance.

-CLAUDE E. SHANNON (In March, 1950)
From his seminal AI paper titled "Programming a Computer for Playing Chess" [read]