Rung #53: WHOSE to ALONG — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 6, 2026: WHOSE to ALONG, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6: the shortest climb there is takes 5 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from WHOSE to ALONG. 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 5 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 5 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. WHOSE → CHOSE — the first letter, W becomes C.
2. CHOSE → CLOSE — the second letter, H becomes L.
3. CLOSE → CLONE — the fourth letter, S becomes N.
4. CLONE → ALONE — the first letter, C becomes A.
5. ALONE → ALONG — the fifth letter, E becomes G.

Other routes as short: WHOSE · CLOSE · CLONE · ALONE · ALONG; WHOSE · CHOSE · CLONE · ALONE · ALONG; WHOSE · CHOSE · CLOSE · ALONE · ALONG; and more.

The answer

WHOSE · CHOSE · CLOSE · CLONE · ALONE · ALONG — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #52 (Mon, Oct 5)

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.