Reading this maze
Ribbon crossing starts at row 2, column 3. Of the 30 grid positions, 23 are paintable and 7 are walls. The start is already painted; the other 22 tiles remain to be reached.
Start left from row 2, column 3. The wall stops you at row 2, column 1; keep the side corridors available for a return visit. The first slide covers 3 of 23 target tiles; 20 remain.
The verified opening crosses 2 tiles before stopping. A breadth-first search proves a 14-slide finish from this exact starting board; that is a reference target, not a move limit. You may revisit any painted tile.
