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If you see yourself as a newcomer detective, GCHQ‘S Christmas Challenge will put your analytical Skill For testing.
UK spy agency, which makes annual determinations quiz Aimed at children aged 11 to 18, we have come up with seven brainteasers and worked with school children on design for Christmas Cards to mark a decade of your festive puzzles.
More than 500 school children took part in the competition to design the cover of the card. He was asked: “What do you think GCHQ What does Christmas Day look like?”, with additional tasks involving hidden codes and puzzles.
Three winning designs were selected – from Harran, a Year 8 student at The Wilson School in London, Maria from a Year 10 student at The Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, and Emily, a Year 12 student from South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury.
As well as designs for schoolchildren, GCHQ’s in-house puzzlers have created a new set of seven puzzles, designed to test a range of problem-solving abilities. SkillWhich includes the intuitive logic and creativity behind the cards.
The puzzles test skills such as codebreaking, mathematics and analysis, and lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance. GCHQ said the brainteasers require thinking in different ways, and groups are encouraged to work together to reveal the final festive message using the front of the card.
Anne Keast-Butler, Director of GCHQ, said: “Puzzles are at the heart of GCHQ’s work to keep the country safe from hostile states, terrorists and criminals; challenging our teams to think creatively and analytically every day.
“I am delighted that this year’s Christmas challenge combines puzzles created by our own experts with the brilliant designs of school children across the country.
“It was a pleasure to judge the competition with GCHQ’s chief puzzler, Colin. The winning designs beautifully reflected what GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day and included some clever codes and ciphers.
“I hope this challenge will inspire the next generation to explore STEM subjects and consider the rewarding careers available in cyber security and intelligence. Who knows – some of these talented schoolchildren may be solving our own puzzles in the future.”
GCHQ’s chief puzzler, known only as Colin, said: “This year’s Christmas challenge consists of seven puzzles designed to test everything from codebreaking and mathematical analysis to lateral thinking and creativity – the same mix of skills that our teams use every day to keep the country safe.
“We’ve designed the puzzles so that no one will find them all easy! Some will be suitable for the analytical mind, others require a creative leap or perseverance. This is completely intentional – we want groups of classmates, families and friends to work together, combining their different strengths to reveal the ultimate festive message.”
This year’s Christmas card is available to download GCHQ.gov.ukAnswers will be published on Wednesday at 9 pm,