Poople #388 — September 6, 2026 (ITCH)
Start word ITCH · Par 10 · Hard
Three hints, one at a time
Show the par
The shortest route takes 10 steps.
Show a positional tip
Start by changing letter 1, counting from the left.
Show the first bridge word
ETCH
Full path
- Start Starting word
- 01 Letter 1: I → E
- 02 Letter 2: T → A
- 03 Letter 1: E → M
- 04 Letter 4: H → E
- 05 Letter 1: M → L
- 06 Letter 4: E → K
- 07 Letter 2: A → O
- 08 Letter 3: C → O
- 09 Letter 4: K → P
- 10 Letter 1: L → P
10 steps
The first step has 2 legal moves; 1 keeps a shortest route to POOP.
Breadth-first search checks shorter distances before reaching POOP. A separate search verifies the minimum using the same accepted vocabulary. Every move changes one letter. Our word list may differ from the official game, so its shortest route may differ too.
Some puzzles have several equally short routes. We show the one our BFS returns, using a fixed alphabetical tie-break.
Bridge words
- ETCH
- verb. To create a design by cutting or chemically marking a surface.
- EACH
- pronoun. Every individual member considered separately.
- MACH
- noun. Speed expressed relative to the local speed of sound.
- MACE
- noun. A heavy club used as a weapon.
- LACE
- noun. Delicate fabric made with an open pattern of threads.
- LACK
- noun. The absence or shortage of something needed.
- LOCK
- noun. A fastening device opened with a key or combination.
- LOOK
- verb. To direct your eyes toward something.
- LOOP
- noun. A curved line or cord that doubles back on itself.