Reading this maze
Twin alcoves starts at row 5, column 5. Of the 30 grid positions, 25 are paintable and 5 are walls. The start is already painted; the other 24 tiles remain to be reached.
Start up from row 5, column 5. The wall stops you at row 4, column 5; keep the side corridors available for a return visit. The first slide covers 2 of 25 target tiles; 23 remain.
The verified opening crosses 1 tiles before stopping. A breadth-first search proves a 13-slide finish from this exact starting board; that is a reference target, not a move limit. You may revisit any painted tile.
