#204 · Sunday, 28 June 2026

Ladder answer

• NOTED 5 letters
• EDITION 7 letters — adds two letters to the rung below
• DIRECTION 9 letters — adds two letters to the rung below

NOTED sits inside EDITION, which sits inside DIRECTION — the two letters added at each rung are the whole puzzle. Scrambles shown that day: NETOD · INEDOIT · TNIRDICEO.

LockCode answer: 1930

The clues and what each one tells you:

1. 9160: 1 in the right place, 2 in the wrong place — 3 of 9, 1, 6, 0 are in the code.
2. 4239: 1 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 2 of 4, 2, 3, 9 are in the code.
3. 5087: 0 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 1 of 5, 0, 8, 7 are in the code.
4. 2375: 0 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 1 of 2, 3, 7, 5 are in the code.
5. After all clues, 8 codes remain possible.

With 8 candidates left, a good second guess splits them by feedback so the third guess is forced. Read the LockCode strategy guide for the method.