SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 · PUZZLE #38
BUFF to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 6 moves.
00
BUFF
START01
GUFF
LETTER 102
GULF
LETTER 303
GOLF
LETTER 204
GOOF
LETTER 305
GOOP
LETTER 406
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 6 moves
BUFF and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and third letters change more than once.
Start by changing the first letter: BUFF → GUFF. Near the goal, GOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- BUFF → GUFF: change letter 1 from B to G.
- GUFF → GULF: change letter 3 from F to L.
- GULF → GOLF: change letter 2 from U to O.
- GOLF → GOOF: change letter 3 from L to O.
- GOOF → GOOP: change letter 4 from F to P.
- GOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from G to P.
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