Verified solution
The shortest route from CASK
CASKCASTCOSTCOOTCOOPPOOP
- 01CASK → CAST4th letter, K to T
- 02CAST → COST2nd letter, A to O
- 03COST → COOT3rd letter, S to O
- 04COOT → COOP4th letter, T to P
- 05COOP → POOP1st letter, C to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
CASK has 6 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
CAST4 leftBASK5 leftCASE5 leftCASH5 leftMASK6 leftTASK6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 1 distinct path 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 →