Gen Z Spy Challenge: Solve GCHQ’s Fiendishly Difficult Puzzle
To give you a small competitive edge, SPYSCAPE has GCHQ’s puzzle tips below and a few hints.
Britain’s codebreakers at the Government Communications HQ design a mind-bending holiday puzzle every year to taunt the best and brightest cryptographers.
The 2021 cryptic challenge has a twist, however. It’s aimed at 11- to 18-year olds although the challenge is for all. There are seven puzzles increasing in difficulty and the seven answers combined will uncover a hidden festive message.
“No single one of you will have all the answers,” GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming said. “You’ll each have different strengths and ways of seeing things, and you’ll have to work together - to use your mix of minds - to find the solution.”
GCHQ dropped a clue to solve the 2021 challenge saying the card “sets a not-so-secret mission”. The answer will be revealed in the weeks after the holiday season on GCHQ’s website &Twitter account.
Solve GCHQ’s 2021 Puzzle for 11 to 18-year-olds
"The social experience where you activate your gaming skills as you train like a spy."
- TimeOut
Pulse-racing challenges - crafted with experts from CIA and Special Ops to test your teamwork, agility, collaboration and communication.
SPYSCAPE+
Join now to get True Spies episodes early and ad-free every week, plus subscriber-only Debriefs and Q&As to bring you closer to your favorite spies and stories from the show. You’ll also get our exclusive series The Razumov Files and The Great James Bond Car Robbery!
Gadgets & Gifts
Explore a world of secrets together. Navigate through interactive exhibits and missions to discover your spy roles.
Your Q Type
You will be assigned one of ten Q Types - developed with top spy trainers and psychologists to reveal your hidden potential. Not a personality label - a behavioral map of how you think, lead, and perform when it matters.
The Brief
Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter and special offers.
Stay Connected
Follow us for the latest
TIKTOK
INSTAGRAM
X
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBE