Verified solution
The shortest route from SHAM
SHAMSLAMSLAPSLOPPLOPPOOP
- 01SHAM → SLAM2nd letter, H to L
- 02SLAM → SLAP4th letter, M to P
- 03SLAP → SLOP3rd letter, A to O
- 04SLOP → PLOP1st letter, S to P
- 05PLOP → POOP2nd letter, L to O
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
SHAM has 11 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
SLAM4 leftWHAM5 leftSCAM5 leftSEAM5 leftSPAM5 leftSWAM5 leftSHIM5 leftSHAG5 leftSHAT5 leftSHAW5 leftSHAH6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 2 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 →