Verified solution
The shortest route from LEND
LENDLEADLOADLOANLOONLOOPPOOP
- 01LEND → LEAD3rd letter, N to A
- 02LEAD → LOAD2nd letter, E to O
- 03LOAD → LOAN4th letter, D to N
- 04LOAN → LOON3rd letter, A to O
- 05LOON → LOOP4th letter, N to P
- 06LOOP → POOP1st letter, L to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
LEND has 13 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
BEND5 leftFEND5 leftPEND5 leftLEAD5 leftLENT5 leftMEND6 leftSEND6 leftTEND6 leftVEND6 leftWEND6 leftLAND6 leftLEWD6 leftLENS6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 13 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 →