Stockfish 14 failed to find the best move in the 3 second (depth 24) test. However, Stockfish did find one of the alternate best moves (1.Bxg7), and eventually plays the center advancing move e5; which is the intended best move in the EPD.
My study on this position is here:
https://lichess.org/study/DMOJQHcr/faM4t4RU#0
The Human Perspective
White's e4-pawn is not really backward because it can safely advance. If White plays 1.e5, then White has e4 for his pieces. Black can then try a counter attack on the queenside. White could also play 1.Bxg7 first and soon play the e-pawn advance. Both of those variations are considered in the study. Alternative first moves for White than these are inferior - in fact Stockfish refutes the alternative best moves of the EPD, Ba1, and Bc1. On 1.Ba1, Black can gain tempi by the exchange of Bishops, and the Knight attack on the Queen. On 1.Bc1, Black plays 1...Bc3 and either again exchanges Bishops, if White interposes his Bishop, or has to move his e1-Rook, which was supporting the center advance.
Stockfish's Perspective
Stockfish at depth 40 evaluates 1.e5 and 1.Bxg7 almost the same - close to 0 points. Stockfish gives 1.Ba1 -1.53/32, and 1.Bc1 -2.25/29; so these are inferior.
EPD Changes Needed
The EPD should be changed to e5=10, Bxg7=9, and the other alternatives should be removed.
