The Word-Change Game

I will post a word that you must start with and the word you must finish with. Both words will have the same number of letters. Sounds easy, right? Let's lay down some guidelines before we begin...

Each Word Change Challenge will be left up until one of two conditions occur:

A. Time runs out on the Challenge (will vary according to difficulty)

B. The Challenge is solved with the fewest change-words possible. (An announcement will be made, followed by a 24-hour "challenge time," explained later.)

GOAL:

To solve the Word Change Challenge with the fewest transition words (change-words) possible.

Rules:

1. The number of letters used cannot change at any part of the transition.

2. Only 1 (one) letter can be changed per change-word.

3. Change-words must be linked to a Webster's definition from the official Webster's online dictionary. If a change-word is not linked to its definition, that poster's submission will be disqualified.

Solution Challenges

In the case that a Word Change Challenge is solved with what is believed to be the fewest change-words possible, an announcement will be posted in the thread. It will say something like: "(Player Name) has solved the Challenge with X change-words. Can anyone do better?" with a quote of their solution as proof. From the time the announcement is posted, there then begins a 24-hour period during which shorter solutions may be submitted.