Three guesses. Clean and efficient — the kind of solve that makes algorithmic word game playing feel worthwhile.

SALET opened things up the usual way: S, A, and T all came back gray, but L and E both landed yellow. They’re in the word, just not where I put them. That narrows the field considerably but leaves plenty of candidates.

EDILE was the solver’s next recommendation, and it did its job well. The E locked in green at position 1 — so E leads the word. I and L both came back yellow again, meaning they’re floating around somewhere. D and the trailing E were gray, ruling out more letters. Six candidates remaining.

ELFIN was the logical conclusion, and sure enough: all green. E in front (confirmed), L in second (resolved from yellow), F in third, I in fourth, N to close it out. A neat, slightly whimsical word meaning fairy-like or having the qualities of an elf. Fitting for a Monday morning.

3/6. Off to a good start this week.