diff --git a/cmd/acb-index-builder/s3_test.go b/cmd/acb-index-builder/s3_test.go
index b43f896..a6bf244 100644
--- a/cmd/acb-index-builder/s3_test.go
+++ b/cmd/acb-index-builder/s3_test.go
@@ -428,4 +428,3 @@ func TestBundleWarmReplaysMissingObjects(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("bundleWarmReplays should not error on missing objects, got: %v", err)
 	}
 }
-
diff --git a/docs/plan/plan.md b/docs/plan/plan.md
index e868b1c..e4feb55 100644
--- a/docs/plan/plan.md
+++ b/docs/plan/plan.md
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ rather than pure energy farming. Zone parameters are tuned per player count:
 |-----------|----------|-----------|-------------|
 | ZoneStartTurn | 10 | 10 | Turn when zone begins shrinking |
 | ZoneShrinkInterval | 1 | 1 | Turns between shrink steps |
-| ZoneShrinkStep | 2 | 2 | Tiles to shrink each step |
+| ZoneShrinkStep | 1 | 1 | Tiles to shrink each step |
 | ZoneMinRadius | 2 | 1 | Minimum zone radius (stops shrinking) |
 
 **Design rationale:**
@@ -503,8 +503,10 @@ rather than pure energy farming. Zone parameters are tuned per player count:
 - **ZoneShrinkInterval = 1**: Shrinks every turn creates steady, predictable pressure.
   Faster than the original 2-turn interval to ensure bots reach contact range before
   the match is decided by energy alone.
-- **ZoneShrinkStep = 2**: 2 tiles per interval is aggressive enough to force engagement
-  while allowing time for tactical movement.
+- **ZoneShrinkStep = 1**: Zone shrinks at the same rate as bot movement (1 tile/turn).
+  A value of 2 caused the zone to shrink faster than bots could move, killing them
+  before combat could occur. The value of 1 ensures bots have time to reach each other
+  and engage in combat while still being forced into contact range.
 - **ZoneMinRadius = 2 (2-player)**: Final zone diameter (4 tiles) ≤ 2 × attack radius (10 tiles),
   ensuring bots at opposite zone edges are within attack range (5 tiles).
 - **ZoneMinRadius = 1 (3+ player)**: Final zone diameter (2 tiles) is smaller than attack
diff --git a/engine/types.go b/engine/types.go
index 08e4898..572976d 100644
--- a/engine/types.go
+++ b/engine/types.go
@@ -240,13 +240,13 @@ func ConfigForPlayers(numPlayers, coresPerPlayer int) Config {
 	// Zone diameter must be <= 2 * attack radius so bots at opposite zone edges can reach each other
 	// Target: 65-80% combat density per plan §3.7.1
 	if numPlayers == 2 {
-		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10      // Start early to force combat before random bots spread out
+		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10     // Start early to force combat before random bots spread out
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Per plan §3.7.1
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 1     // Zone shrinks at same rate as bot movement (1 tile/turn)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 2      // Per plan §3.7.1: 2-player min radius
 		cfg.AttackRadius2 = 25     // 5 tiles (reduced from 6 to achieve 65-80% combat density target)
 	} else {
-		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10      // Start early to force combat before passive bots spread
+		cfg.ZoneStartTurn = 10     // Start early to force combat before passive bots spread
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkInterval = 1 // Per plan §3.7.1
 		cfg.ZoneShrinkStep = 1     // Zone shrinks at same rate as bot movement (1 tile/turn)
 		cfg.ZoneMinRadius = 1      // Zone diameter (2) < attack radius (3.5), forces contact