POOPLE ANSWERS

SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 · PUZZLE #388

ITCH to POOP.

One shortest route in 10 moves.

00
ITCH
START
01
ETCH
LETTER 1
02
EACH
LETTER 2
03
MACH
LETTER 1
04
MACE
LETTER 4
05
LACE
LETTER 1
06
LACK
LETTER 4
07
LOCK
LETTER 2
08
LOOK
LETTER 3
09
LOOP
LETTER 4
10
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 10 moves

ITCH and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 6 additional moves; the first and second and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the first letter: ITCH → ETCH. Near the goal, LOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.

Every letter change

  1. ITCH → ETCH: change letter 1 from I to E.
  2. ETCH → EACH: change letter 2 from T to A.
  3. EACH → MACH: change letter 1 from E to M.
  4. MACH → MACE: change letter 4 from H to E.
  5. MACE → LACE: change letter 1 from M to L.
  6. LACE → LACK: change letter 4 from E to K.
  7. LACK → LOCK: change letter 2 from A to O.
  8. LOCK → LOOK: change letter 3 from C to O.
  9. LOOK → LOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
  10. LOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from L to P.
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