What are “threads” in the analysis and what should i keep it set to?

@corvusmellori said in #10:

If you care at all about engine strength, you shouldn't be using the lichess web engine at all - you should be downloading a native stockfish binary, and running on your PC locally using a tool like Scid.

It's also possible to use native engines in lichess. Very useful if you have a server around - gives you deep analysis even on your phone without stressing out the battery.

For usual applications, though, the web based engine is perfectly fine... and typically with fewer problems. :-)

@corvusmellori said in #10:

so i just open up a position in a lichess study, but stockfish to run for like, 25-30 minutes?

@corvusmellori said in #10:

If you care at all about engine strength, you shouldn't be using the lichess web engine at all - you should be downloading a native stockfish binary, and running on your PC locally using a tool like Scid.

The exact settings that are strongest depend strongly on how long you're letting the engine run. For deep analysis, I'd start by looking at the settings used by the stockfish time at TCEC.

what is stockfish binary? and how do i get/download it? im not great with computers, thats why i only ever use the lichess analysis stockfish to get a review of a position

@Planet_CHESS465 said in #13:

what is stockfish binary? and how do i get/download it? im not great with computers, thats why i only ever use the lichess analysis stockfish to get a review of a position

https://stockfishchess.org/download/

@MadsNilsen said in #14:

stockfishchess.org/download/

thx, is it usable through lichess or...? how do i use it if and when i download it

@Planet_CHESS465 said in #15:

thx, is it usable through lichess or...? how do i use it if and when i download it

You would need to download a GUI to run Stockfish. But for all practical purposes running Stockfish through Lichess is more than good enough.

And you certainly don't need to run it for long times. It will provide plenty of strength with only a few seconds. Like 3000+ Elo.

Things change when you are a strong GM preparing for some opponent, or playing serious correspondence chess (not here on lichess - any engine use is prohibited here).