Rung #90: CHOSE to BEACH — the solution

The Rung ladder from November 12, 2026: CHOSE to BEACH, 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 CHOSE to BEACH. 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 21 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

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

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

The answer

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

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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.