APRIL 25, 2026 · PUZZLE #254
NERD to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 6 moves.
00
NERD
START01
HERD
LETTER 102
HEED
LETTER 303
HOED
LETTER 204
HOOD
LETTER 305
HOOP
LETTER 406
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 6 moves
NERD 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: NERD → HERD. Near the goal, HOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- NERD → HERD: change letter 1 from N to H.
- HERD → HEED: change letter 3 from R to E.
- HEED → HOED: change letter 2 from E to O.
- HOED → HOOD: change letter 3 from E to O.
- HOOD → HOOP: change letter 4 from D to P.
- HOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from H to P.
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