Reading this maze
Side pocket starts at row 3, column 3. Of the 20 grid positions, 12 are paintable and 8 are walls. The start is already painted; the other 11 tiles remain to be reached.
Start right from row 3, column 3. The wall stops you at row 3, column 5; keep the side corridors available for a return visit. The first slide covers 3 of 12 target tiles; 9 remain.
The verified opening crosses 2 tiles before stopping. A breadth-first search proves a 5-slide finish from this exact starting board; that is a reference target, not a move limit. You may revisit any painted tile.
