POOPLE ANSWERS

AUGUST 24, 2026 · PUZZLE #375

RITZ to POOP.

One shortest route in 7 moves.

00
RITZ
START
01
RITE
LETTER 4
02
BITE
LETTER 1
03
BITS
LETTER 4
04
BOTS
LETTER 2
05
BOOS
LETTER 3
06
BOOP
LETTER 4
07
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 7 moves

RITZ and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 3 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the fourth letter: RITZ → RITE. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. RITZ → RITE: change letter 4 from Z to E.
  2. RITE → BITE: change letter 1 from R to B.
  3. BITE → BITS: change letter 4 from E to S.
  4. BITS → BOTS: change letter 2 from I to O.
  5. BOTS → BOOS: change letter 3 from T to O.
  6. BOOS → BOOP: change letter 4 from S to P.
  7. BOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.
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