POOPLE ANSWERS

APRIL 12, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #241

GILT to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
GILT
START
01
GILD
LETTER 4
02
GOLD
LETTER 2
03
GOOD
LETTER 3
04
GOOP
LETTER 4
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

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

Start by changing the fourth letter: GILT โ†’ GILD. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. GILT โ†’ GILD: change letter 4 from T to D.
  2. GILD โ†’ GOLD: change letter 2 from I to O.
  3. GOLD โ†’ GOOD: change letter 3 from L to O.
  4. GOOD โ†’ GOOP: change letter 4 from D to P.
  5. GOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from G to P.