DECEMBER 26, 2025 · PUZZLE #134
ARID to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 6 moves.
00
ARID
START01
GRID
LETTER 102
GRAD
LETTER 303
GOAD
LETTER 204
GOOD
LETTER 305
GOOP
LETTER 406
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 6 moves
ARID and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and third letters change more than once.
Start by changing the first letter: ARID → GRID. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- ARID → GRID: change letter 1 from A to G.
- GRID → GRAD: change letter 3 from I to A.
- GRAD → GOAD: change letter 2 from R to O.
- GOAD → GOOD: change letter 3 from A to O.
- GOOD → GOOP: change letter 4 from D to P.
- GOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from G to P.
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