Reading this maze
Painted exchange starts at row 3, column 5. Of the 42 grid positions, 32 are paintable and 10 are walls. The start is already painted; the other 31 tiles remain to be reached.
Diamonds A at row 2, column 1 and row 6, column 6 toggle the gate marked A. Diamonds B at row 4, column 2 and row 5, column 5 toggle the gate marked B. Start down and stop at row 5, column 5. Either matching diamond flips its letter; both A diamonds share A, and both B diamonds share B. The first slide covers 3 of 32 target tiles.
The verified opening crosses 2 tiles before stopping. A breadth-first search proves a 26-slide finish from this exact starting board; that is a reference target, not a move limit. You may revisit any painted tile.
Diamonds A and B control separate gate groups. Each letter toggles only its matching barred gate; the other group keeps its current state. Changes take effect during the same slide. Undo restores both groups, and Hint searches from both gate states and the painted floor.