POOPLE ANSWERS

DECEMBER 21, 2025 ยท PUZZLE #129

RIBS to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
RIBS
START
01
BIBS
LETTER 1
02
BOBS
LETTER 2
03
BOOS
LETTER 3
04
BOOP
LETTER 4
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

RIBS and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 1 additional move; the first letter changes more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: RIBS โ†’ BIBS. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. RIBS โ†’ BIBS: change letter 1 from R to B.
  2. BIBS โ†’ BOBS: change letter 2 from I to O.
  3. BOBS โ†’ BOOS: change letter 3 from B to O.
  4. BOOS โ†’ BOOP: change letter 4 from S to P.
  5. BOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.