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83 five letter words begin with RI, and the third box is spread across more letters than most openings this size.
N leads at about twelve percent, C at eleven and S at ten. V takes eight, then F and L at seven each.
RIGHT, RIVER, RINGS, RISKS and RIDGE are the most common entries, and each one sits on a different third letter.
RIDER, RIDES, RIFLE and RIVAL follow them, so this group holds a solid stock of everyday words behind the leaders.
RIDES is the most informative opener. Its D, E and S reach three separate branches and none of its five letters repeats.
It is the most common word here but its G and H are weak tests, and it commits to a branch holding little else. RIDES rules out more.
They differ in the last box alone, so landing either one settles the other immediately.
Only the final letter. Both share RISK, so a guess on either narrows the other to a single question.