GCHQ intelligence agency reveals Christmas puzzle – containing hidden clues for an extra challenge

GCHQ has revealed its annual Christmas puzzle, which this year contains hidden clues for those who want an extra challenge.

The secretive UK spy agency, which focuses on communications intelligence and cybersecurity, says the puzzle is aimed at children aged 11-18.

It is featured on a Christmas card sent by GCHQ’s director, Anne Keast-Butler.

The card contains seven puzzles which range in difficulty and test different problem-solving skills.

GCHQ’s team of puzzling experts are encouraging school groups across the UK and Northern Ireland to work as a team to reveal a hidden message.

“This year for the first time there are three additional elements hidden within the card for those who want to take on an extra challenge,” the agency said.

The puzzles test skills such as codebreaking, maths and analysis, as well as lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance.

“Just like the work that goes on at GCHQ every day to keep the country safe, the Christmas brainteasers will require different approaches and different ways of thinking,” the agency said.

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‘Puzzles have always been at the heart of GCHQ’

GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler said: ”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 challenge has been designed for a mix of minds to solve, so is best tackled in groups of classmates, families or friends.

“Whether you have an analytical mind, a creative brain or prefer engineering, there’s something for everyone.”

She said as a mathematician she was “passionate about STEM subjects and encouraging young people to give them a try” – while also considering “what a career in cybersecurity and intelligence might have to offer”.

‘You do not have to be a genius’

The agency also put a secret message in the quote below from their chief puzzler, Colin.

He said: “We are delighted to be launching the 2024 Christmas Challenge aimed at young people, and we hope you find this year’s set of puzzles as challengingly fun as ever.

“This year as usual we’re encouraging teams to work together to tackle the Challenge.

“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!”

You can download the Christmas challenge here and see the puzzles for the last few years here: 2023, 2022 and 2021.