Can you resolve GCHQ’s notoriously difficult Christmas puzzle? | EUROtoday

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Budding spies have been assigned a festive mission straight from the UK’s nationwide safety company this Christmas.

GCHQ is encouraging each kids and adults alike to obtain its brain-teasing Christmas card, that includes its annual puzzle.

Masterminded by a crew of puzzling consultants who work on the authorities communications headquarters, the cardboard is distributed by director Anne Keast-Butler and the brainteasers vary in problem to disclose a closing hidden message.

The focus of this yr’s quiz is the geography of the intelligence and cyber organisation, which operates throughout the UK from its HQ in Cheltenham, Manchester, London, Scarborough and Bude.

This yr, for the primary time, there are three extra parts hidden throughout the card for individuals who need to tackle an additional problem.

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Ms Keast-Butler stated:  “Puzzles have always been at the heart of GCHQ, and the skills needed to solve them are just as relevant in 2024 as they were over 100 years ago.

“This year’s challenge features seven puzzles, plus several hidden elements for those who want an extra test. The puzzles are aimed at teenagers and young people, but everyone is encouraged to give them a try – they might surprise you.”

The puzzles embody abilities similar to codebreaking, maths and evaluation and take a look at lateral considering, ingenuity and perseverance.

Just just like the work that goes on at GCHQ day by day, the Christmas brainteasers would require totally different approaches and alternative ways of considering.

GCHQ’s chief puzzler, Colin, stated: “You can see from the range of puzzles that some parts are trickier than others. However, you do not have to be a genius or top of the class to solve them – you just have to be able to work in a team and embrace the mix of minds and approaches teamwork brings. This is exactly how we work at GCHQ.

“We also hope to show young people through this Challenge that thinking differently is a gift.

“We’d love to see how you get on with the Challenge, so please let us know by tagging us – or asking a grown-up to tag us – in a post on Instagram, X or LinkedIn @GCHQ.

“Happy puzzle-solving!”