Which engine is the best analyser?

Discussion of anything and everything relating to chess playing software and machines.

Moderator: Ras

Chessqueen
Posts: 5685
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 2:16 am
Location: Moving
Full name: Jorge Picado

Which engine is the best analyser?

Post by Chessqueen »

Which of all engines that analyze chess positions has solved the most positions, Such as Huntman, Crystal etc?.....
Dann Corbit
Posts: 12792
Joined: Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:57 pm
Location: Redmond, WA USA

Re: Which engine is the best analyser?

Post by Dann Corbit »

Your question needs qualification.
What kind of positions?
WHAT KIND OF HARDWARE?
What time control?

If the Epd is random, the hardware is Tcec hardware, and the time control is Tcec time control, then the answer is Stockfish, followed by Lc0 and Komodo. Alternative answers are found on SSDF, CCRL, CEGT and other contest sites.

If you want to analyze short mates (less than 8 plies) probably Chest. I have proven many millions of mates with it. I use mostly Chest319, but also ChestUCI. The difference is that Chest319 is a mate prover, and ChestUCI is a mate finder but it can solve much deeper problems. Gustav and Popeye are also useful with some esoteric mates.

If you have a collection of closed positions, then Lc0. (Assuming excellent gpus). Typically, it is really good in the opening.

If you have a collection of tough tactical problems then I like crystal 5, the last leptir, Huntsman. Neither Stockfish nor Lc0 are great at tough tactical problems, but they are very good. I have run about a thousand very difficult and very carefully verified positions through many different engines and at multiple time controls.

There is a category of mates that are solved best by Sting, but it as a narrow category. If all other engines fail to find the answer, try sting.

Clearly, there is no simple answer to this question.
Taking ideas is not a vice, it is a virtue. We have another word for this. It is called learning.
But sharing ideas is an even greater virtue. We have another word for this. It is called teaching.