AUGUST 31, 2026 · PUZZLE #382
WATT to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 7 moves.
00
WATT
START01
WAFT
LETTER 302
HAFT
LETTER 103
HALT
LETTER 304
HOLT
LETTER 205
HOOT
LETTER 306
HOOP
LETTER 407
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 7 moves
WATT and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 3 additional moves; the first and third letters change more than once.
Start by changing the third letter: WATT → WAFT. Near the goal, HOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- WATT → WAFT: change letter 3 from T to F.
- WAFT → HAFT: change letter 1 from W to H.
- HAFT → HALT: change letter 3 from F to L.
- HALT → HOLT: change letter 2 from A to O.
- HOLT → HOOT: change letter 3 from L to O.
- HOOT → HOOP: change letter 4 from T to P.
- HOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from H to P.
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