Poople #397 — September 15, 2026 (RISK)

Start word RISK · Par 6 · Medium

Three hints, one at a time

Show the par

The shortest route takes 6 steps.

Show a positional tip

Start by changing letter 4, counting from the left.

Show the first bridge word

RISE

Full path

  1. Start Starting word
  2. 01 Letter 4: K → E
  3. 02 Letter 2: I → O
  4. 03 Letter 1: R → P
  5. 04 Letter 3: S → M
  6. 05 Letter 4: E → P
  7. 06 Letter 3: M → O

6 steps

The first step has 4 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

RISE
verb. To move upward or reach a higher position.
ROSE
verb / noun. Past tense of rise; also a prickly shrub with showy flowers.
POSE
verb. To present an idea or question; to assume a particular posture.
POME
noun. A fleshy fruit with a central seed-bearing core, such as an apple.
POMP
noun. An impressive ceremonial display.