MARCH 31, 2026 · PUZZLE #229
READ to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 5 moves.
00
READ
START01
ROAD
LETTER 202
GOAD
LETTER 103
GOOD
LETTER 304
GOOP
LETTER 405
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 5 moves
READ 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 second letter: READ → ROAD. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- READ → ROAD: change letter 2 from E to O.
- ROAD → GOAD: change letter 1 from R to G.
- 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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