GCHQ Christmas puzzle

[monzer]

Did anyone try this yesterday? I managed to decipher the message although I wouldn't say I got there via the conventional route.

Spies need to adapt though so I'm taking that as a win!

Link below if you want to give it a go.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Have solved 6 of the words so far, just with morning cuppa in bed, but not the coded ones. Might need to get up and find pen and paper!

 

[monzer]

Have solved 6 of the words so far, just with morning cuppa in bed, but not the coded ones. Might need to get up and find pen and paper!

That's good going. I'd say don't over think the codebreaking one.

 

[dunnah01]

Taken me ages just to get Rudolf out of the maze - I need coffee

 

[kevenh]

Here is the link to the 2022 GHCQ Xmas Challenge page - did I pass the 1st test

Here is the link to the 2021 GHCQ Xmas Challenge page

Edit: no. One of them is the 2021 puzzle. (Fixed)

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[Carpmart]

Is this gamification not targeting a different demographic than the majority of us are in? Just saying!!

 

[Riverbankannie]

I have come back to it but still cannot see the codebreaking one. Maybe I am overthinking it trying to find a simple coding system of letter swops or moves, but there are too many characters to make a W3W word.
I will PM you with my thinking so far

 

[Riverbankannie]

Is this gamification not targeting a different demographic than the majority of us are in? Just saying!!

The Telegraph says it’s for children

 

[Coolcats]

Is this gamification not targeting a different demographic than the majority of us are in? Just saying!!

Never underestimate age, wisdom and treachery

 

[Coolcats]

I have come back to it but still cannot see the codebreaking one. Maybe I am overthinking it trying to find a simple coding system of letter swops or moves, but there are too many characters to make a W3W word.
I will PM you with my thinking so far

Oh no don’t start with W3W still haven’t used it, still haven’t got lost or late

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[monzer]

Yes it's mainly for kids to try in groups at school. It'll keep them busy while teacher is out on the picket line

 

[monzer]

I should add, some of the guys in the office couldn't work out any of them.

 

[Carpmart]

I should add, some of the guys in the office couldn't work out any of them.

Is ‘the office’ code for GCHQ??

 

[monzer]

Is ‘the office’ code for GCHQ??

I can't answer that on an open forum

 

[Riverbankannie]

Did anyone try this yesterday? I managed to decipher the message although I wouldn't say I got there via the conventional route.

Spies need to adapt though so I'm taking that as a win!

Link below if you want to give it a go.

Thanks for posting, would have missed it otherwise. Somewhere from my youth I have Lewis Carroll’s book Symbolic Logic and the game of Logic.

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[Reallyretired]

We did it all yesterday at coffee time, me my brother and two wives. I admit I had to look up the Polish for dog. Sis in law did the code while simultaneously knitting. At least some women can multitask

 

[Riverbankannie]

We did it all yesterday at coffee time, me my brother and two wives. I admit I had to look up the Polish for dog. Sis in law did the code while simultaneously knitting. At least some women can multitask

A bit of a spoiler there, but I think it’s not at all shameful to have to look up the Polish for something.

 

[Branston]

After spending years in an office in G.C.H.Q., not knowing what the office next door did, I won't even bother to try to decode. My head hurts when I try to decide what to have for breakfast these days. Good luck everyone

 

[Carpmart]

After spending years in an office in G.C.H.Q., not knowing what the office next door did, I won't even bother to try to decode. My head hurts when I try to decide what to have for breakfast these days. Good luck everyone

Not sure you should have told us that…

 

[funflair]

Not sure you should have told us that…

I had done that one and got Rudolph free, think the block of three words are done but could be wrong, gave up on the others

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[Carpmart]

I had done that one and got Rudolph free, think the block of three words are done but could be wrong, gave up on the others

Is this ‘spook speak’?

 

[Branston]

Carpmart, it's ok because I will shoot you all.

 

[Carpmart]

Carpmart, it's ok because I will shoot you all.

I was contemplating reporting you for breaking rule 1 (be nice) but figured I would be breaking rule 1 myself in reporting you.

I’m sure you don’t mean it, do you?

 

[Branston]

No, hands shake too much now at my age!

 

[Carpmart]

No, hands shake too much now at my age!

very reassuring

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[Barti Ddu]

Yes - me, Mrs B-D, and our youngest daughter (a Bristol Uni maths undergraduate) completed it together last night. Quite enjoyable, and satisfying to complete. (The question with the Sudoko style grid with green, blue and gold squares, caused us the most problems - until we actually reread the question properly)!

 

[monzer]

Yes - me, Mrs B-D, and our youngest daughter (a Bristol Uni maths undergraduate) completed it together last night. Quite enjoyable, and satisfying to complete. (The question with the Sudoko style grid with green, blue and gold squares, caused us the most problems - until we actually reread the question properly)!

Yes my friend was struggling with that one as he didn't realise it was 3 separate 3 letter words.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Yes my friend was struggling with that one as he didn't realise it was 3 separate 3 letter words.

As was always the case - answer the actual question as written, and not what you want it to say! Do each of the three numbered steps separately and sequentially.

 

[ManTheVan]

That was the one that gave me the most hassle. Got there in the end though. It’s a brilliant card. Really enjoyed solving it.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Didn’t need to do all this when I was a spy, obviously just the sleeping with double agents and taking out a few others

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