POOPLE ANSWERS

JUNE 12, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #302

SUCH to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
SUCH
START
01
SUCK
LETTER 4
02
BUCK
LETTER 1
03
BOCK
LETTER 2
04
BOOK
LETTER 3
05
BOOP
LETTER 4
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

SUCH and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.

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

Every letter change

  1. SUCH โ†’ SUCK: change letter 4 from H to K.
  2. SUCK โ†’ BUCK: change letter 1 from S to B.
  3. BUCK โ†’ BOCK: change letter 2 from U to O.
  4. BOCK โ†’ BOOK: change letter 3 from C to O.
  5. BOOK โ†’ BOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
  6. BOOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.