TOWER puzzle #11, November 7, 2026

The Saturday word ladder started at HALL and ended at DECK. Par, the fewest possible steps, was 5. The connection between the two words: Both are parts of a house. Here is the shortest ladder, with the one letter that changes at each step.

The ladder, step by step

• 1. HALL to BALL (first letter, H to B). BALL: noun: round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
• 2. BALL to BALK (fourth letter, L to K). BALK: verb: refuse to comply
• 3. BALK to BACK (third letter, L to C). BACK: adverb: in or to or toward a former location
• 4. BACK to BECK (second letter, A to E). BECK: noun: a beckoning gesture
• 5. BECK to DECK (first letter, B to D). DECK: noun: any of various platforms built into a vessel

Worth knowing about this ladder: the first letter changes two times (steps 1 and 5). This ladder has only one shortest route, so every step is forced.