Rung #56: GIVEN to BONDS — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 9, 2026: GIVEN to BONDS, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 5 rungs, and par gives you 2 to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from GIVEN to BONDS. 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 2 more, so the shortest route comes in under it. Without the leap the shortest climb is 6 rungs; the leap saves 1.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 2 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. GIVEN → GIVES — the fifth letter, N becomes S.
2. GIVES → BINES — the leap: G becomes B and V becomes N, two letters in one move for two rungs.
3. BINES → BINDS — the fourth letter, E becomes D.
4. BINDS → BONDS — the second letter, I becomes O.

Another route as short: GIVEN · GIVES · BINES · BONES · BONDS.

The answer

GIVEN · GIVES · BINES · BINDS · BONDS — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #55 (Thu, Oct 8) · Next: Rung #57 (Sat, Oct 10)

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.