It ’s that time of class once again : festivities , merriment , twinkling illumination , goodwill to all world , and the annual Christmas Challenge of the UK ’s national intelligence agency .
This year , seven puzzles have been designed by a team of puzzling experts who work at GCHQ , the UK security agency that ’s tasked with signals intelligence .
The challenge require codebreaking , mathematics , sidelong thinking , and a bit of ingenuity to reveal the name of a illustrious UK turning point . There are also three extra concealed elements in the pictures for those seeking an extra challenge .
Can you crack it?Image credit: GCHQ
“ Puzzles have always been at the heart of GCHQ , and the accomplishment needed to solve them are just as relevant in 2024 as they were over 100 years ago , ” Anne Keast - Butler , Director of GCHQ , said in astatement .
“ This year ’s Challenge have seven puzzles , plus several hidden elements for those who want an extra test . The puzzle are aimed at teenagers and young people , but everyone is encourage to give them a try – they might surprise you , ” said Keast - Butler .
GCHQ ’s Chief Puzzler , a mysterious riddle fuck only as Colin , also released a quote , which apparently also contains a cloak-and-dagger message :
“ We are delighted to be launch the 2024 Christmas Challenge aimed at young people , and we hope you ascertain this year ’s curing of puzzles as challengingly fun as ever .
“ This class as common we ’re encouraging teams to work together to harness the Challenge .
“ you may see from the range of mountains of puzzles that some parts are trickier than others . However , you do not have to be a brain or top of the class to resolve them – you just have to be able-bodied to make in a team and adopt the mix of minds and feeler teamwork brings . This is incisively how we wreak at GCHQ .
“ We also desire to show young people through this Challenge that thinking differently is a endowment .
“ We ’d love to see how you get on with the Challenge , so please permit us bonk by tagging us – or call for a grown - up to tag us – in a post on Instagram , X or LinkedIn @GCHQ .
“ glad puzzle - resolution ! ”
The full challenge , as well as some hints , can be viewed onGCHQ ’s website . Here , you ’ll also incur PDFs that can be downloaded and , if you wish , printed off .
