Verified solution
The shortest route from RIFT
RIFTRIOTROOTLOOTLOOPPOOP
- 01RIFT → RIOT3rd letter, F to O
- 02RIOT → ROOT2nd letter, I to O
- 03ROOT → LOOT1st letter, R to L
- 04LOOT → LOOP4th letter, T to P
- 05LOOP → POOP1st letter, L to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
RIFT has 7 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
LIFT4 leftRIOT4 leftGIFT5 leftSIFT5 leftRAFT6 leftRIFE6 leftRIFF6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 6 distinct paths at the minimum length of 5. The route shown above is one complete answer, not the only valid sequence. Any route reaching POOP in 5 moves is equally short.
Calculate a route from a different word →