How to solve today's Wordle.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Wednesdays Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here:Yesterday was Wordle Wednesday so naturally I gave you a riddle to solve. Always an extra challenge on Wednesdays and then I share the answer every Thursday. Some of you messaged me with the solution, so bravo to you!The riddle was: I follow the jolly man dressed in red, But I bring fear and dread instead. Before youre naughty, best think twice Ill only coming knocking if you havent been nice. Who am I?The answer is Krampus, the somewhat demonic counterpart to Santa Claus. Krampus originated in Central Europe, a horned Alpine nightmare creature who does the dirty business that Santa simply cant stomach: Punishing naughty children for their misdeeds.With all that in mind, lets solve todays Wordle!How To Solve Todays WordleThe Hint: Challenging, contesting.The Clue: This Wordle is a present participle.Okay, spoilers below!...The Answer:Today's WordleScreenshot: Erik KainPlay Puzzles & Games on ForbesWordle AnalysisEvery day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. This was not a great Wordle for me today, and Im not sure it was necessarily because it was a tricky word or if my luck had simply run out. Either way, whoof.I began with PLATE, getting zero boxes and leaving 346 possible solutions on the table. CHOIR gave me a yellow I and slashed that to 27. If Id been a little smarter or a little luckier, Id have guessed something better than MINUS for #3 (Wordle Bot says FUNDS would have been more efficient) and then I picked DYING even though my gut was all for VYING. Five tries and I got there at last!Competitive Wordle ScoreI get -1 points for guessing in five and -1 for losing to the Bot, who took four today. -2 for me today. Cest la vie.How To Play Competitive WordleGuessing in 1 is worth 3 points; guessing in 2 is worth 2 points; guessing in 3 is worth 1 point; guessing in 4 is worth 0 points; guessing in 5 is -1 points; guessing in 6 is -2 points and missing the Wordle is -3 points.If you beat your opponent you get 1 point. If you tie, you get 0 points. And if you lose to your opponent, you get -1 point. Add it up to get your score. Keep a daily running score or just play for a new score each day.Fridays are 2XP, meaning you double your pointspositive or negative.You can keep a running tally or just play day-by-day. Enjoy!Todays Wordle EtymologyThe word vying comes from the verb vie, which originates from the Old French envier (meaning "to challenge or provoke"). This, in turn, comes from the Latin invitare, meaning "to invite or challenge." The modern form vie emerged in the 16th century, and vying is simply its present participle form, following English conjugation patterns.Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when Im not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.