diff --git a/src/evaluate.cpp b/src/evaluate.cpp
index d211db64..8c1b0b08 100644
--- a/src/evaluate.cpp
+++ b/src/evaluate.cpp
@@ -661,13 +661,9 @@ namespace {
                 // assign a smaller bonus if the block square isn't attacked.
                 int k = !unsafeSquares ? 20 : !(unsafeSquares & blockSq) ? 9 : 0;
 
-                // If the path to the queen is fully defended, assign a big bonus.
-                // Otherwise assign a smaller bonus if the block square is defended.
-                if (defendedSquares == squaresToQueen)
-                    k += 6;
-
-                else if (defendedSquares & blockSq)
-                    k += 4;
+                // Assign a larger bonus if the block square is defended.
+                if (defendedSquares & blockSq)
+                    k += 5;
 
                 bonus += make_score(k * w, k * w);
             }