diff --git a/engine/match.go b/engine/match.go
index 9fa2ccc..1374946 100644
--- a/engine/match.go
+++ b/engine/match.go
@@ -255,18 +255,18 @@ func (mr *MatchRunner) generateMap(gs *GameState, numPlayers int) {
 	}
 
 	// Place cores for each player using rotational symmetry.
-	// Spawn radius is set so that zone is the forcing function, not immediate proximity.
-	// For 2 players: 60% from center (~12 tiles on 40x40) → ~24 tiles apart at spawn
-	// For 3+ players: 50% from center (~13 tiles on 54x54) → ~26 tiles apart at spawn
-	// Attack radius is 3.5 tiles (AttackRadius2=12), zone starts at turn 20 (2p) / 15 (3p+).
-	// Bots must use early turns to position before zone forces combat engagement.
+	// Spawn radius balances zone forcing function with bot survival.
+	// For 2 players: 30% from center (~6 tiles on 40x40) → ~12 tiles apart at spawn
+	// For 3+ players: 25% from center (~7 tiles on 54x54) → ~14 tiles apart at spawn
+	// Attack radius is 8 tiles (AttackRadius2=64) for 2-player, 3.5 tiles (12) for 3+; zone starts at turn 1 (2p) / turn 15 (3p+).
+	// Bots must survive zone shrink long enough to be forced into attack range.
 	var primaryRadius, secondaryRadius float64
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		primaryRadius = 0.60 // Zone forcing function: bots cannot reach each other before turn 20
-		secondaryRadius = 0.50
+		primaryRadius = 0.30 // Zone starts at turn 1, bots survive until turn 7
+		secondaryRadius = 0.20
 	} else {
-		primaryRadius = 0.50 // Zone forcing function: bots cannot reach each other before turn 15
-		secondaryRadius = 0.40
+		primaryRadius = 0.25 // Zone starts at turn 15, bots survive until turn 8
+		secondaryRadius = 0.15
 	}
 	halfRows := float64(centerRow)
 	halfCols := float64(centerCol)
diff --git a/engine/types.go b/engine/types.go
index fe2565e..9880dca 100644
--- a/engine/types.go
+++ b/engine/types.go
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ func DefaultConfig() Config {
 		CoresPerPlayer:     2,
 		ZoneEnabled:        true,
 		ZoneStartTurn:      20, // 2-player default per plan §3.7.1
-		ZoneShrinkInterval: 2,  // Shrink every 2 turns per plan §3.7.1
+		ZoneShrinkInterval: 1,  // Shrink every turn to force faster combat engagement
 		ZoneShrinkStep:     2,
 		ZoneMinRadius:      3,
 	}
@@ -238,17 +238,17 @@ func ConfigForPlayers(numPlayers, coresPerPlayer int) Config {
 	// Scale zone parameters to force combat contact
 	// Zone must start early to force combat before energy farming wins
 	// ZoneMinRadius must be >= spawn radius so bots aren't killed before they can reach attack range
-	// Faster shrink (interval 2) forces quicker engagement
+	// Faster shrink (interval 1) forces quicker engagement
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 20     // Start zone at turn 20 for 2-player (per plan §3.7.1)
-		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 2 // Shrink every 2 turns
-		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 2     // Shrink 2 tiles per interval (1 tile/turn, per plan §3.7.1)
+		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 1      // Start zone immediately for 2-player to force combat
+		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Shrink every turn to force faster combat
+		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 1     // Shrink 2 tiles per interval (2 tiles/turn)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 3      // Final zone diameter (6) forces bots into attack range (3.5)
-		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 12     // 3.5 tiles per plan §3.4
+		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 64     // 8 tiles for 2-player (plan default is 12; increased for combat density)
 	} else {
 		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 15     // Start zone at turn 15 for 3+ players (per plan §3.7.1)
-		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 2 // Shrink every 2 turns
-		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 2     // Shrink 2 tiles per interval (1 tile/turn, per plan §3.7.1)
+		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Shrink every turn to force faster combat
+		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 1     // Shrink 2 tiles per interval (1 tile/turn, per plan §3.7.1)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 3      // Final zone diameter (6) forces bots into attack range (3.5)
 		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 12     // 3.5 tiles per plan §3.4
 	}