Can you solve GCHQ’s Christmas puzzle?

If you fancy yourself as a budding spy, GCHQ’s Christmas challenge will put your analytical skills to the test.

The UK spy agency, which sets an annual quiz aimed at children aged between 11 and 18, has come up with seven brainteasers and worked with schoolchildren on designs for its Christmas card to mark a decade of its festive puzzles.

More than 500 schoolchildren took part in a competition to design the cover of the card. They were asked: “What do you think GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day?”, with the additional task of including hidden codes and puzzles.

Three winning designs were selected – from Haoran, a year 8 student from Wilson’s school in London, Mariia, year 10 at the Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, and year 12 pupil Amelie from South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury.

Alongside the schoolchildren’s designs, GCHQ’s in-house puzzlers have created a new set of seven puzzles designed to test a range of problem-solving skills, including intuitive reasoning and creativity, for the back of the card.

The puzzles test codebreaking, maths and analysis, and skills such as lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance. GCHQ said the brainteasers require different ways of thinking, and groups are encouraged to work together to reveal a 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’m delighted that this year's Christmas challenge combines puzzles created by our own experts with brilliant designs from schoolchildren across the country.

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“It was a pleasure to judge the competition alongside Colin, GCHQ’s chief puzzler. The winning designs beautifully captured what they thought GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day and incorporated some clever codes and ciphers.

“I hope this challenge inspires the next generation to explore Stem subjects and consider the rewarding careers available in cybersecurity and intelligence. Who knows – some of these talented schoolchildren might be solving our own puzzles in the future."

GCHQ’s chief puzzler, known only as Colin, added: “This year’s Christmas challenge features seven puzzles designed to test everything from codebreaking and mathematical analysis to lateral thinking and creativity – the same blend of skills 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 suit analytical minds, others require creative leaps or perseverance. That’s entirely intentional – we want groups of classmates, families and friends working together, combining their different strengths to reveal the final festive message.”

This year’s Christmas card is available to download from GCHQ.gov.uk.

The answers were released on Wednesday at 9pm, click here to find out more.