POOPLE ANSWERS

JULY 26, 2026 ยท PUZZLE #346

WHAM to POOP.

One shortest route in 5 moves.

00
WHAM
START
01
WHAP
LETTER 4
02
CHAP
LETTER 1
03
CHOP
LETTER 3
04
COOP
LETTER 2
05
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 5 moves

WHAM 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 fourth letter: WHAM โ†’ WHAP. Near the goal, COOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. WHAM โ†’ WHAP: change letter 4 from M to P.
  2. WHAP โ†’ CHAP: change letter 1 from W to C.
  3. CHAP โ†’ CHOP: change letter 3 from A to O.
  4. CHOP โ†’ COOP: change letter 2 from H to O.
  5. COOP โ†’ POOP: change letter 1 from C to P.