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jomega

Strategic Test Suite (STS): STS (v4.0) Square Vacancy.066

StrategyAnalysisChess engineChess
What is the "best move" for the STS problem "Square Vacancy.066"?

A continuation of the discussion here:
jomega's Blog • Strategic Test Suite (STS): The EPD file's best and alternate best moves. • lichess.org

Another interesting position for which Stockfish 14 failed to find the best move in the 3 second (depth 16) test is 'Square Vacancy.066'.

https://lichess.org/study/DMOJQHcr/MteaGteu#0

Too Close to Call at Small Depths
If Stockfish is given more time and searches deeper, then it finds 1.Bf1 as the best move.
1.Bf1 6.1/24
1.Qe2 5.4/26
1.Qc6 4.2/23
1.e4 4.3/25

EPD Should be Changed
Qc6=10, Bf1=5, Qe2=4, e4=6 in the EPD should be changed to Bf1=10, Qe2=9, Qc6=8, e4=8

The Human Perspective
Evaluating this position from a human perspective, we find that Black has a 'bad Bishop', and weak pawns. White owns the c-file and can win with any of the moves. However, the awkward placement of Black's Bishop gives White an opportunity to improve his Bishop while maintaining threats and squelching Black's chances at counter-play. See my study chapter:

https://lichess.org/study/DMOJQHcr/2s5eKS9i/

Links

- The Strategic Test Suite (STS) home page.
https://sites.google.com/site/strategictestsuite/
- The STS-rating code.
https://github.com/fsmosca/STS-Rating