AUGUST 27, 2026 · PUZZLE #378
GELS to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 5 moves.
00
GELS
START01
GELD
LETTER 402
GOLD
LETTER 203
GOOD
LETTER 304
GOOP
LETTER 405
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 5 moves
GELS and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 1 additional move; the fourth letter changes more than once.
Start by changing the fourth letter: GELS → GELD. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- GELS → GELD: change letter 4 from S to D.
- GELD → GOLD: change letter 2 from E to O.
- GOLD → GOOD: change letter 3 from L to O.
- GOOD → GOOP: change letter 4 from D to P.
- GOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from G to P.
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