December 11th 2024.
The holiday season is a time for celebration, but for real-life spies, it's also a time to keep a watchful eye. This year, Britain's top spies have created a festive brainteaser to challenge and entertain. But don't worry, unlike the gadgets in a spy movie, this article won't self-destruct in five seconds.
The Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), one of the country's three spy agencies, specializes in gathering intelligence and protecting against financial threats. But it's not all serious work - solving puzzles and cracking codes is also a big part of the job. In fact, the agency releases a Christmas Challenge every year to encourage children aged 11-18 to think critically and work as a team, while also showcasing the skills needed to become a spy.
The challenge, released as a downloadable PDF, is the agency's official Christmas card. On the front, there's a map of the UK with popular festive animals like a robin, a lobster, and even a dinosaur. Each animal is assigned four numbers, which may or may not be cryptic. On the back of the card, there are seven puzzles that lead to the name of a landmark. The challenge is to use the landmarks and the front cover of the card to discover where people across all of GCHQ's locations will be spending their Christmas.
While the puzzles may seem daunting, the agency stresses that they are not meant to be solved alone. In fact, they believe that the right mix of minds can solve seemingly impossible problems - just like in the movies. And if you're unable to crack the code, don't worry - the answers will eventually be released online.
But GCHQ's puzzle-making isn't limited to Christmas. Earlier this year, they used a puzzle as part of a recruitment drive for aspiring spies. So whether you're a schoolchild looking for a challenge or a potential spy looking for a job, GCHQ's puzzles have something for everyone.
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