SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 · PUZZLE #383
NAPS to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 5 moves.
00
NAPS
START01
CAPS
LETTER 102
COPS
LETTER 203
COOS
LETTER 304
COOP
LETTER 405
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 5 moves
NAPS 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 first letter: NAPS → CAPS. Near the goal, COOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- NAPS → CAPS: change letter 1 from N to C.
- CAPS → COPS: change letter 2 from A to O.
- COPS → COOS: change letter 3 from P to O.
- COOS → COOP: change letter 4 from S to P.
- COOP → POOP: change letter 1 from C to P.
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