Verified solution
The shortest route from RAFT
RAFTRIFTRIOTROOTLOOTLOOPPOOP
- 01RAFT → RIFT2nd letter, A to I
- 02RIFT → RIOT3rd letter, F to O
- 03RIOT → ROOT2nd letter, I to O
- 04ROOT → LOOT1st letter, R to L
- 05LOOT → LOOP4th letter, T to P
- 06LOOP → POOP1st letter, L to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
RAFT has 7 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
HAFT5 leftRIFT5 leftDAFT6 leftWAFT6 leftRANT6 leftRAPT6 leftRAFF7 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 7 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 →