JUNE 7, 2026 · PUZZLE #297
RIPS to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 6 moves.
00
RIPS
START01
HIPS
LETTER 102
HOPS
LETTER 203
BOPS
LETTER 104
BOOS
LETTER 305
BOOP
LETTER 406
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 6 moves
RIPS and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first letter changes more than once.
Start by changing the first letter: RIPS → HIPS. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- RIPS → HIPS: change letter 1 from R to H.
- HIPS → HOPS: change letter 2 from I to O.
- HOPS → BOPS: change letter 1 from H to B.
- BOPS → BOOS: change letter 3 from P to O.
- BOOS → BOOP: change letter 4 from S to P.
- BOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.
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