Verified solution
The shortest route from SHIM
SHIMSHIPSHOPCHOPCOOPPOOP
- 01SHIM → SHIP4th letter, M to P
- 02SHIP → SHOP3rd letter, I to O
- 03SHOP → CHOP1st letter, S to C
- 04CHOP → COOP2nd letter, H to O
- 05COOP → POOP1st letter, C to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
SHIM has 10 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
SLIM4 leftSHIP4 leftWHIM5 leftSKIM5 leftSTIM5 leftSWIM5 leftSHAM5 leftSHIN5 leftSHIT5 leftSHIV5 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 5 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 →