Verified solution
The shortest route from RIDE
RIDERODEROLEROLLPOLLPOOLPOOP
- 01RIDE → RODE2nd letter, I to O
- 02RODE → ROLE3rd letter, D to L
- 03ROLE → ROLL4th letter, E to L
- 04ROLL → POLL1st letter, R to P
- 05POLL → POOL3rd letter, L to O
- 06POOL → POOP4th letter, L to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
RIDE has 16 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
BIDE5 leftTIDE5 leftRODE5 leftRILE5 leftRIME5 leftRIPE5 leftRISE5 leftRIDS5 leftAIDE6 leftHIDE6 leftSIDE6 leftWIDE6 leftRUDE6 leftRICE6 leftRIFE6 leftRITE6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 32 distinct paths at the minimum length of 6. The route shown above is one complete answer, not the only valid sequence. Any route reaching POOP in 6 moves is equally short.
Calculate a route from a different word →