diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 9855d12e1..24ba1c018 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -826,7 +826,7 @@ Value Search::Worker::search(
 
     opponentWorsening = ss->staticEval > -(ss - 1)->staticEval;
 
-    if (priorReduction >= 3 && !opponentWorsening)
+    if (priorReduction >= (depth < 10 ? 1 : 3) && !opponentWorsening)
         depth++;
     if (priorReduction >= 2 && depth >= 2 && ss->staticEval + (ss - 1)->staticEval > 177)
         depth--;