A hidden string of three letters is waiting. Guess any three letters, and each one lights up to show how close it is to belonging in that spot.

Closeness counts two things together: how far your letter is from the right one in the alphabet, and how many spots it sits from where that letter belongs. The two add up into a single distance.

Green — on target! The right letter, in the right spot. It locks and is set aside, so closeness is then measured only against the letters still hidden.

Red — hot! The distance is 1 or 2. That could mean it's the right letter but a spot or two away, or it's a wrong letter either at the right spot or adjacent.

Yellow — warm! The distance is between 3 and 5. This implies it's not a letter that features. But it is close, and must be a letter close in the alphabet on or near the right spot.

Blue — cold! The distance is 6 or more: far from every hidden letter, on both counts.

Seven guesses. Any three letters can be the answer — words or not.