LinkedIn CrossClimb #624 Solution: Crack the Word Ladder Puzzle from January 14, 2026

Conquer today's LinkedIn CrossClimb challenge with our detailed walkthrough for Question ID: 624, published on January 14, 2026. This addictive word puzzle requires guessing clue words, rearranging them into a ladder where each step changes exactly one letter, and solving the final compound clue. Follow our step-by-step reasoning to climb from start to finish and unlock the Beta Test phrase.

Understanding CrossClimb Rules for Quick Wins

In CrossClimb by LinkedIn, solve five clues first, then reorder words to form a chain (e.g., CAT → CAR → BAR). Finally, fill top and bottom words for the combo clue, maintaining the one-letter rule. Common tips: Swap vowels early, use everyday words, and work backwards if stuck.

Step 1: Solve the Five Core Hints

Each hint points to a four-letter word. Here's the logical breakdown:

• Hint 1: Emulates a gambler
  The word is BETS. Gamblers place bets on outcomes, perfectly matching this clue for risk-taking behavior.
• Hint 2: Insects that leave their hive to gather pollen
  The answer is BEES. Worker bees are classic hive insects foraging for pollen and nectar.
• Hint 3: Items in a golf bag
  This is TEES. Golf tees hold the ball at tee-off and are staples in every player's bag.
• Hint 4: Perfect scores (seen historically in Olympic sports like gymnastics, but not any more)
  Enter TENS. A ten was the max score in gymnastics before the scale changed to 10.00-point events.
• Hint 5: Shelter that you might stake into the ground
  The word is TENT. Camping tents are secured with stakes hammered into the earth.

Step 2: Build the Word Ladder – Rearrange for One-Letter Changes

With words: BETS, BEES, TEES, TENS, TENT. The key is sequencing them so adjacent words differ by exactly one letter. Test combinations logically:

BETS
 ↓ (E↔E, T↔E)
BEES
 ↓ (B↔T)
TEES
 ↓ (E↔N)
TENS
 ↓ (S↔T)
TENT

This chain works flawlessly: BETS → BEES → TEES → TENS → TENT. Each swap is minimal – no rearrangements, just letter flips in position.

Step 3: Unlock and Solve the Compound Question

Compound Question: A two-word phrase for a process that a software development team might use to check a product before its release.

Now fill top (above BETS) and bottom (below TENT):

BETA
BETS
BEES
TEES
TENS
TENT
TEST

• Top Answer: BETA
  Change TENT's last letter? No – top is above BETS: TENT → ? No, positionally: BETA → BETS (A↔S swap). Beta version is pre-release software testing.
• Bottom Answer: TEST
  TENT → TEST (N↔S). A test phase validates products before launch.

Together: Beta Test – the ultimate software QA phrase!

Why This Solution Fits Perfectly

The ladder maintains strict one-letter changes throughout, all words are common dictionary entries, and the compound ties into dev workflows. If stuck in-game, use hints sparingly to check mismatches. Share your solve time in comments – did you spot the bee-to-tee swap first?

Check back daily for more LinkedIn CrossClimb solutions, LinkedIn Games tips, and word ladder mastery. Level up your puzzle skills today!