Rung #49: CHASE to BENCH — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 2, 2026: CHASE to BENCH, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 6 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from CHASE to BENCH. The shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — is 6 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 28 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. CHASE → CEASE — the second letter, H becomes E.
2. CEASE → LEASE — the first letter, C becomes L.
3. LEASE → LEASH — the fifth letter, E becomes H.
4. LEASH → LEACH — the fourth letter, S becomes C.
5. LEACH → BEACH — the first letter, L becomes B.
6. BEACH → BENCH — the third letter, A becomes N.

Other routes as short: CHASE · CEASE · PEASE · PEACE · PEACH · BEACH · BENCH; CHASE · PHASE · PEASE · PEACE · PEACH · BEACH · BENCH; CHASE · LEASE · LEASH · LEACH · BEACH · BENCH; and more.

The answer

CHASE · CEASE · LEASE · LEASH · LEACH · BEACH · BENCH — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #48 (Thu, Oct 1)

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: five letters, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.