[Software] How I solved Wordle #255 - spoilers for today's (rather tough) answer

[THē-GHōST]

 

Welcome back to my weekday Wordle Solution Diary, where I take you step-by-step through my own Wordle puzzle efforts. Today, we're tackling Wordle #255. For those unfamiliar with Wordle, The New York Times’ (recently-purchased) daily word game asks you to guess a five-letter word in six tries.  Simple right If you just want to skip to the Today's Wordle answer, (and yes, we have a page to do just that), you can depart right now. But what would be the fun in that You want to preserve your streak and, I believe, learn how to get better at Wordle, which means making smart choices and understanding the tactics that can take you from a "Winning in 5" to a "Solved in three" kind of Wordle player. The guide below includes how I make my guesses and images of my work. When I make a mistake, you'll see it. Maybe it'll help you avoid some of your own. Let's Wordle together. Spoiler Alert: If you do not want to know today’s Wordle answer, STOP READING IMMEDIATELY. Feeling strong Even though it took me four attempts, yesterday's solution (Wordle #254) in four strengthened my confidence. Seeing the "CH" combination reminds me that all those decades of writing might, in fact, count for something. I'm so cocky that now I'm ready to Wordle from the train. I'm still using my laptop, though. I'm convinced the big screen is helping me focus. Your biggest leap will always be that first word. I can choose any five-letter word but, generally, dismiss anything with double letters, as per our guide on how to win at Wordle. There are two goals: Get as many correct letters in the right spots as possible and miraculously guess the word on the first try. Thus far, I've never accomplished the latter. This morning, I make a slight change in tactics and look up a massive list of five-letter words to help jog my memory. I'm no dummy but I'm also not a dictionary. I can't start every Wordle with "FACES" (though I do love that as a starting point). I spot "BREAD" and immediately fall in love (who doesn't love bread?). This word has everything: Two key vowels, "E" and "A" and excellent consonants that can live anywhere in a five-letter word. Can you imagine if this is the moment I get Wordle in one Surprise, doing this on a train with a spotty mobile broadband connection is as risky as starting your Wordle with a word that repeats two letters. Sadly, I lost the original 'BREAD" entry image, but can present the middling results here. Getting two letters in the wrong spots on the first attempt isn't exactly a success story, but I like to focus not only on what I got but what's been permanently excluded. I hate to see "A" go. There are so many good "A" words like "CHAIR" and "FAITH." The "R" is useful and knowing that it's not the second letter makes me think it could start or end the word. Even so, with just two letters to work with, I think I will stick with my tried and true strategy of pulling in an entirely new set of letters. I need more material to work with.