GCHQ releases Puzzles for Spies
GCHQ today (22 September) released a special puzzle to mark the publication of its new children’s book Puzzles for Spies, packed with challenges to inspire codebreakers, engineers, mathematicians and linguists of the future.
The intelligence cyber and security agency’s latest puzzle book published by Puffin, and its first for children, focuses on languages, engineering, codebreaking, analysis, maths, coding and cyber security - all key skills needed at GCHQ.
The special puzzle illustrates the four-colour theorem, a theory from 1852 that suggests that no more than four colours are required to colour in a picture so that no touching shapes have the same colour. This wasn't proved until over a hundred years later, when it became the first major theorem to be proved using a computer.
Designed to be a fun and unique challenge for young puzzlers, the puzzle is an example of the lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance needed by those working at GCHQ across its missions to keep the country safe. The book has many more puzzles like this (a lot easier, some even harder!), to test your thinking skills.
To complete the puzzle you need to colour the fruit bowl using only four colours, so that the pear is green, the orange is orange, the apple is red, the banana is yellow and no two touching shapes have the same colour.
Download the special bonus puzzle below
Colin, whose unofficial title at GCHQ is ‘Chief Puzzler’, said:
You don’t have to be a quiz champion – or even top of the class – to work at GCHQ. You just need to have an interest in figuring things out and an infectious curiosity. This is why so many of us are so fond of puzzles.
We don’t spend all of our time putting together jigsaws and filling out crosswords – but creating and solving puzzles in our spare time requires the same skills which our teams use when tackling new problems in different and inventive ways to help keep the nation safe. It’s also really fun!
For over 100 years, GCHQ has worked, in secret, to gather information and solve the toughest of problems to help keep the people of the UK safe. The book shares personal stories from real members of staff about their journey to working for GCHQ some insight into the secretive work they do, in addition to stories about the agency’s war-time history and beginnings.
GCHQ has previously created two puzzle books for adults, The GCHQ Puzzle Book and The GCHQ Puzzle Book II, with proceeds going to The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales to support the organisation’s ongoing mental health work.
In his foreword, Director GCHQ - Sir Jeremy Fleming says:
Having thoroughly baffled the grown-ups, we wrote this book especially for children. It’s a myth that everyone at GCHQ is good at puzzles, we are all different – that’s our greatest strength. People come to work for us from across the country, from all sorts of backgrounds. They work together, each offering their own perspective and way of thinking to solve difficult problems. The thing we all have in common is commitment to the security of the nation.
Puzzles for Spies introduces readers to many aspects of GCHQ’s work and the chapters are packed with everything from codes and brainteasers to word riddles and language puzzles. With personal accounts from real-life GCHQ members of staff, this book offers a rare glimpse into their world, and shows how, with a mix of minds, anything is possible.
You can purchase your copy here
GCHQ’s Puzzles for Spies book now also comes with its own free resource on Twinkl, where teachers and parents can download a lesson plan which covers exciting puzzles and topics from the new book.
