Change positions: pos 1: 2, pos 2: 2, pos 3: 2, pos 4: 2. Most-changed position: 1, 2, 3, 4 (2).

Change sequence: 1, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 4.

Letter mix: V→V 1, V→C 1, C→V 1, C→C 5.

Word stats: 9 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 0 positions.

Cover the steps and work from both YARD and STAY first. This ladder needs 8 moves, and the endpoints already share 0 letter positions—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 1 from Y to C first, but saves position 4 (T to Y) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, CENT matches 0 target positions. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 most often.

Practice prompt: choose two unfamiliar bridge words, check their definitions, and write a short sentence for each. Then replay YARD to STAY without looking at the route and compare your reasoning with the solution.