Verified solution
The shortest route from CASE
CASECAMECOMECOMPCOOPPOOP
- 01CASE → CAME3rd letter, S to M
- 02CAME → COME2nd letter, A to O
- 03COME → COMP4th letter, E to P
- 04COMP → COOP3rd letter, M to O
- 05COOP → POOP1st letter, C to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
CASE has 15 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
CAME4 leftCAST4 leftBASE5 leftRASE5 leftCAFE5 leftCAGE5 leftCAKE5 leftCANE5 leftCAPE5 leftCARE5 leftCAVE5 leftCASH5 leftCASK5 leftEASE6 leftVASE6 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 →