#72 · Monday, 16 February 2026

Ladder answer

• COURT 5 letters
• COUNTER 7 letters — adds two letters to the rung below
• REDUCTION 9 letters — adds two letters to the rung below

COURT sits inside COUNTER, which sits inside REDUCTION — the two letters added at each rung are the whole puzzle. Scrambles shown that day: OCUTR · ENTORUC · RUNTIEODC.

LockCode answer: 7260

The clues and what each one tells you:

1. 7286: 2 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 3 of 7, 2, 8, 6 are in the code.
2. 2165: 1 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 2 of 2, 1, 6, 5 are in the code.
3. 6123: 0 in the right place, 2 in the wrong place — 2 of 6, 1, 2, 3 are in the code.
4. 2983: 0 in the right place, 1 in the wrong place — 1 of 2, 9, 8, 3 are in the code.
5. After all clues, 2 codes remain possible.

With 2 candidates left, a good second guess splits them by feedback so the third guess is forced. Read the LockCode strategy guide for the method.