SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 · PUZZLE #41
HAND to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 5 moves.
00
HAND
START01
HANK
LETTER 402
HONK
LETTER 203
HOOK
LETTER 304
HOOP
LETTER 405
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 5 moves
HAND 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: HAND → HANK. Near the goal, HOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- HAND → HANK: change letter 4 from D to K.
- HANK → HONK: change letter 2 from A to O.
- HONK → HOOK: change letter 3 from N to O.
- HOOK → HOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
- HOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from H to P.
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