diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index aab5c743..1ed849f2 100644
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -1148,10 +1148,9 @@ moves_loop:  // When in check, search starts here
         if ((ss + 1)->cutoffCnt > 3)
             r += 1 + allNode;
 
-        // For first picked move (ttMove) reduce reduction, but never allow
-        // reduction to go below 0 (~3 Elo)
+        // For first picked move (ttMove) reduce reduction (~3 Elo)
         else if (move == ttData.move)
-            r = std::max(0, r - 2);
+            r -= 2;
 
         ss->statScore = 2 * thisThread->mainHistory[us][move.from_to()]
                       + (*contHist[0])[movedPiece][move.to_sq()]