Thanks

[Harry]

We get a lot of thank you emails during the competition and we are very grateful for them all. It is lovely to know that you are enjoying the competition as much as we are.

We thought it would be nice to show our sponsors how grateful we all are for their support. Without them the competition would not be possible, so if you would like to join us in giving them our deepest thanks, then please do post your comments here.

Harry

[AES_of_spades]

Not sure if Madness is a sponsor or what, but I’m really enjoying their book on cryptography – it’s clearly explained with just the right amount of challenges. So whoever you are, thank you!

[_madness_]

@AES_of_spades

Unfortunately, I cannot be a sponsor, because they do not let me have money where I am kept.
But I am glad you enjoy the book. Look at units 138 and 138 of version 2, to see why your
user name is so apropos this year.

For the avoidance of doubt, Madness is trying to guess what cipher we will set in Challenge 10 this year, and we are happy to let him try! Harry

[_madness_]

BTW, the real thanks go to Harry and the ELFs, especially the naughty one.

[AES_of_spades]

@the_cryptographer_formally_known_as_madness
on the second page of ur book there’s this scrumbled grid of letters:

RGHLXWERJFEBKJCTPQSRUATXSECVANAMVCINKFDITERSWSKYZGWPCFF
OFDOKNIXNQEKLERJOOHYHNRNLCRTFPGBLQSLRRIZGNPGNIRBCPEYFR
ZQIYEEFSGATAQUILXWVEKWKVKGLPXLSZSXDDKEPLTBYFVEOIBVONXCZ etc.
My question to you is, is this utter gibberish, or is it a code?!?!?!?!??!!?!
If it’s a code I shall have to try crack it and that will not be easy…

[_madness_]

@AES_of_spades,
Ha ha h a ha ha ha h a h a hahahahaha
I could be so cruel right now, but I will resist the temptation[1].
It is not a code, but there is something hidden in it.

BTW, that is version 1. Version 2 is somewhat improved.

[1] Lord, lead me not into temptation; I can find it myself.

[Robb27]

@TCFKAM (too long to type out!)
The Library only has v1 modified 2020-07-17, unless I have missed a link for a revised version elsewhere, which is possible. Perhaps Harry or the Elves could add the revised version.

@AES_of_Spades
The answer is both clearly on the page twice and in the overall document twice too 😉

[F6EXB_the_frenchy]

@Robb27
You can find the version 2 on github, searching with Google: madness cryptography

@AES_of_Spades
The title and author of the book are hidden inside the gibberish.

[Robb27]

@F6EXB_the_frenchy
Thanks! I should have thought to look there.

I have previously visited the “unofficial archive of the British National Cipher Challenge” on github to undertake the earlier challenges. If anyone is looking for some different cyphers, to hone their skills further or just for more (fun!) challenges, it’s a great resource.

[_madness_]

Thank, you Harry (possibly by proxy elf), for posting the linguistic challenges. They were fun, despite a few tricky points.

>Thank, you Harry (possibly by proxy elf), for posting the linguistic challenges.

If anyone finds they have time on their hands, and likes linguistic puzzles, there are a selection available at UK Linguistic Olympiad website. Fun problems:

https://www.uklo.org/fun-problems/

[Gen_ruikt]

Thanks to GCHQ for sponsoring also these ciphers are good so far hope to get properly stumped in the later weeks and also hoping to work for GCHQ in the future

Great ambition, but probs best not to tell anyone that! Harry

[CTRLandCMD]

Thank you GCHQ, Harry, Jodie, University of Southampton and all the tech elves working in the background to give us the best Cipher Challenges EVER!

Thank you, much appreciated! Harry

[BBM92]

Before Challenge 10 begins, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Jodie, Harry and everybody ehse who made this competition possible. It really is amazing fun, from the buzz at the end of the school day on Thursdays (and pretending to pay attention in the final lesson of the day) to digging into the cipher, to mathematical coding and lateral thinking, and of course following the story. I just wish it lasted for longer (or that there were more competitions like it)! This is my last year competing for prizes, but I will still do it again next year, just for fun. Thanks again, and best of luck to everyone for Challenge 10!

Thank you too! It is great to have you aboard, and we hope you will continue to take part as an Alumnus for many years to come! (Hoping to introduce a special leaderboard for all you old timers next year for the 25th anniversary! Harry

[Yeetcadamy]

Hello again Harry! I just want to thank you, Jodie, and all the elves for another absolutely amazing Cipher Challenge. I must say, Challenge 10B is a lot harder than the last two years and it really gave us some trouble, and I feel that some Clock Patience is in order as a reward. I must say that I (and I hope the rest of Attempt-n agree) am really looking forward to participating again next year. It really has been a great 5 years. So long, and thanks for all the fish! (until next year)

Thanks guys, it is great to see you back. Hoping to have an alumni leaderboard for you all next year. Harry

[Author]

Posts