NOVEMBER 20, 2025 · PUZZLE #98
DUCT to POOP.💩
One shortest route in 6 moves.
00
DUCT
START01
DUCK
LETTER 402
BUCK
LETTER 103
BOCK
LETTER 204
BOOK
LETTER 305
BOOP
LETTER 406
POOP
GOAL 💩Why this route takes 6 moves
DUCT and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the first and fourth letters change more than once.
Start by changing the fourth letter: DUCT → DUCK. Near the goal, BOOP is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its first letter.
Every letter change
- DUCT → DUCK: change letter 4 from T to K.
- DUCK → BUCK: change letter 1 from D to B.
- BUCK → BOCK: change letter 2 from U to O.
- BOCK → BOOK: change letter 3 from C to O.
- BOOK → BOOP: change letter 4 from K to P.
- BOOP → POOP: change letter 1 from B to P.
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