Verified solution
The shortest route from CARD
CARDCORDCORKCOOKCOOPPOOP
- 01CARD → CORD2nd letter, A to O
- 02CORD → CORK4th letter, D to K
- 03CORK → COOK3rd letter, R to O
- 04COOK → COOP4th letter, K to P
- 05COOP → POOP1st letter, C to P
First moves
What happens after the opening word?
CARD has 12 legal one-letter moves. These are the best routes after move one:
CORD4 leftCARP4 leftBARD5 leftWARD5 leftCURD5 leftCARB5 leftCARE5 leftCARS5 leftCART5 leftHARD6 leftLARD6 leftYARD6 left
Answer notes
Why there can be more than one answer.
This opening has 3 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 →