The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2022

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Link 1: The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2022 - GCHQ.GOV.UK

 

Today we've released the 2022 #GCHQChristmasChallenge. The puzzle, masterminded by a team of our in-house puzzlers, features on our Director's annual Christmas card. The card is sent to partners in the UK and around the world who work with us to counter threats, including hostile state activity, terror groups and organised crime gangs.

 

Whilst the Challenge has been designed for schools and colleges, we're also encouraging the wider public to take on the challenge to pit their wits against our puzzlers.

 

The 2022 Christmas Challenge features seven fiendish puzzles based on the seven disciplines of languages, engineering, codebreaking, analysis, maths, coding and cyber security - all key skills needed at GCHQ to help keep the country safe.

 

But this year’s Challenge comes with a twist…once you solve all seven puzzles, you'll need to think outside the box, using the design on the front of the card to assemble the answers, forming three separate what3words locations. Joining the three place names together will reveal our special festive answer.

 

Visit this page again on Thursday 15 December or our Twitter or Instagram channels for the solution...

 

Link 2: The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2022 - Final in-house print ready card design [Presentation: 2-page PDF]

 

Link 3:

 

[DalekSec]

Ahhh.. i love these.... as they remind me of how stupid i actually am

[DavR]

I've managed the work out five out of seven, guessed a sixth, but I'm stumped on the Rudolph maze!

 

I'm feeling pleased with myself for getting 5/7 on a puzzle aimed at teenagers.

[ianniow]

Rudolph maze is the only one I have got

[DavR]

I had my eureka moment, and got the Rudolph.

 

So I now have all seven answers, just need to try and work out the final conundrum....

[River]

I think I have got it....! Waiting for the answers to be released to be sure

[Seb1780]

I'm struggling with the codebreaker - willing to share hints for others

[Seb1780]

Ah, got it now

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NOTE: SPOILERS!

 

Link: The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2022_Answers [Presentation: 1-page PDF]

[Bompalompalomp]

Took me too long, but I got it... Helps if I read the instructions right and clicked the card!

[TechMonkey]

As Brucey used to say, "good game, good game". Arrived at the right answer in the wrong way on a couple. But good fun.

[foofighterjim]

I must just be a bit dim, but even with the answer I still don't understand the codebreaking one. Has anyone got a moment to give a for dummies explanation?

[smurfomatic]

I must just be a bit dim, but even with the answer I still don't understand the codebreaking one. Has anyone got a moment to give a for dummies explanation?

 

It's a shift cypher...move everything one letter back - e.g. b becomes a, c becomes b etc. That means "xibu4xpset" becomes "what3words" and so on.

[foofighterjim]

Ah, ok, thanks.

[karenf]

Thanks love these each year forgot it was out

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Link: The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2023 - GCHQ.GOV.UK

 

Your Mission

 

On Thursday 14 December the #GCHQChristmasChallenge returns, pitting 11 to 18-year-olds against a series of tricky puzzles set by some of our finest minds. And this year is our trickiest Challenge yet! The Challenge is presented in the form of a Christmas card, sent by our Director, Anne Keast-Butler, to partners around the world.

 

The card, available to download below, contains a series of brainteasers, designed by GCHQ’s own puzzle volunteers, specifically for 11 to 18-year-olds.

 

Your special festive puzzle mission is to complete the 2023 GCHQ Christmas Challenge by solving the puzzles and uncovering the hidden final message

 

Resources

 

To help you prepare for Thursday’s Challenge, we’ve provided a number of resources below, including a digital copy of the Challenge, a teaching pack featuring KS3 and KS4 lesson plans, a hints sheet for teachers and printable certificates. Students can also choose to print a copy of the Challenge to take home to test their families over the festive period.

 

Our Director, Anne Keast-Butler has recorded a special message, setting students their festive puzzle assignment*.

 

Colin, our Chief Puzzler, is back once again to show you how to get started with completing the GCHQ Christmas Challenge.

 

Social media

 

We’d love to see how you get on tackling the Challenge. On the 14 December, be sure to tag us in your posts and pictures (@gchq on X and Instagram). We’ll be sharing posts from schools and colleges throughout the day. Be sure to let us know if you get stuck on any of the puzzles as we might have some tips for you!

 

Puzzling at GCHQ

 

Puzzling at If your students enjoy the Christmas Challenge, why not try out the 2022 Challenge or take a look at the role problem-solving plays in our important work where you'll also find further puzzles for them to have a go at.

 

*This video has been removed by the uploader

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Link: GCHQ releases annual Christmas Challenge 2025 with puzzles... - GCHQ.GOV.UK