Puzzle

TheBigBean

These sets of puzzles are tricky but I have enjoyed them in previous years. I think my top score with the help of some colleagues was 4 questions out of about 12.

The prize money is mostly for charity and they have a preference that solutions are not posted online, but if anyone can work any out, I'm all ears.

So far I've made progress on question 6 which seems to be the most accessible. I've got the footballer, the author, the K-pop song and the UK city. Can't see a pattern yet.

https://rss.org.uk/news-publication/news-publications/2021/general-news/rss-christmas-quiz-2021/

masjer

This is evil!

TheBigBean

masjer said:

This is evil!

Absolutely. Ideally requires a team and lots and lots of time

masjer

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

johngti

One of my ex-colleagues would have loved this (and smashed it). He did every puzzle in the GCHQ puzzle book, including the ones that direct you to particular hidden web pages with more puzzles on. In terms of the competition, he came third. Fair to say he no longer works in my dept and has moved to a different part of the country following a year long interview process…

Wheelspinner

Blimey.

A bit like cryptic crosswords, might help to have seen examples of the compiler’s work before!

TheBigBean

Wheelspinner said:

Blimey.

A bit like cryptic crosswords, might help to have seen examples of the compiler’s work before!

They're all online e.g. here's the 2020 version by the same chap.

https://rss.org.uk/news-publication/news-publications/2021/general-news/christmas-quiz-2020-–-how-many-puzzles-did-you-sol/

TheBigBean

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

rick_chasey

However my brain is wired means I cannot remotely think laterally enough to get these. Just lack the brain power.

briantrumpet

rick_chasey said:

However my brain is wired means I cannot remotely think laterally enough to get these. Just lack the brain power.

I haven't even got the patience to discover that I haven't got the brain power either.

masjer

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

Got six of the eight on the first question, but the last two are being stubborn. I've now got brain-ache.

Ben6899

Thanks for sharing, but I’m currently on Annual Leave.

TheBigBean

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

Got six of the eight on the first question, but the last two are being stubborn. I've now got brain-ache.

After a fresh look at this, I have got the second one in the first question. The opening hint makes sense, now I have the answer.

masjer

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

Got six of the eight on the first question, but the last two are being stubborn. I've now got brain-ache.

After a fresh look at this, I have got the second one in the first question. The opening hint makes sense, now I have the answer.

Got all 8 now (after much Googling) but the much-loved ground-dwelling
creature with a distinctive morning cry is being very illusive.

TheBigBean

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

Got six of the eight on the first question, but the last two are being stubborn. I've now got brain-ache.

After a fresh look at this, I have got the second one in the first question. The opening hint makes sense, now I have the answer.

Got all 8 now (after much Googling) but the much-loved ground-dwelling
creature with a distinctive morning cry is being very illusive.

That's a decent effort. I haven't improved beyond one of the 8.

masjer

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

TheBigBean said:

masjer said:

I've made a small amount of progress on the first one, but more work needed.

I've made no progress there. Looks like a cipher, but then it always does and then I find out it is something completely different.

Got six of the eight on the first question, but the last two are being stubborn. I've now got brain-ache.

After a fresh look at this, I have got the second one in the first question. The opening hint makes sense, now I have the answer.

Got all 8 now (after much Googling) but the much-loved ground-dwelling
creature with a distinctive morning cry is being very illusive.

That's a decent effort. I haven't improved beyond one of the 8.

Cheers, I had a quick look at some of the other questions- zero progress there.