Mikhail Botvinnik working with an early computer

After losing to Petrosian in 1963, Botvinnik focused on the intersection of chess and computer science, aiming to create an "electronic grandmaster." Botvinnik's research focused on "selective searches" in chess, using general principles to determine worthy moves, a necessary approach given the limitations of early Soviet computers. Although initially promising, this method fell short as more powerful computers could later perform comprehensive searches. His PIONEER program, which aided in planning power station maintenance, earned him an honorary degree in mathematics from the University of Ferrara in 1991.