diff --git a/src/thread.cpp b/src/thread.cpp
index 2fd3c7aa..c73f5566 100644
--- a/src/thread.cpp
+++ b/src/thread.cpp
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ void ThreadPool::read_uci_options() {
 
   // If zero (default) then set best minimum split depth automatically
   if (!minimumSplitDepth)
-      minimumSplitDepth = requested < 8 ? 4 * ONE_PLY : 7 * ONE_PLY;
+      minimumSplitDepth =  5 * ONE_PLY ;
 
   while (size() < requested)
       push_back(new_thread<Thread>());