Reading this maze
Studio loop starts at row 4, column 4. Of the 30 grid positions, 18 are paintable and 12 are walls. The start is already painted; the other 17 tiles remain to be reached.
Start up from row 4, column 4. The wall stops you at row 1, column 4; keep the side corridors available for a return visit. The first slide covers 4 of 18 target tiles; 14 remain.
The verified opening crosses 3 tiles before stopping. A breadth-first search proves a 10-slide finish from this exact starting board; that is a reference target, not a move limit. You may revisit any painted tile.
