Codebusters

Code Busters was a trial event at the 2016 National Tournament. In this event, up to 3 participants must decode encrypted messages, or they may be required to encode messages with certain advanced ciphers. Competitors are not allowed to bring any resources to this event, but can bring a 4 or 5 function calculator - no scientific or graphing calculators allowed.

=Test Description=

The test is given in an order of increasing difficulty in an exam booklet, and the supervisor may require answers to be written on index cards instead of the booklet. The very first cryptogram is timed - when solved, a team member should raise their hand/shout "bingo!"/etc to alert the supervisor. Teams will receive bonus points depending on their time, but they may make as many attempts as they want to break the code without any penalties. The first cryptogram may also be used as a tiebreaker. If the first cryptogram is unsolved, teams are automatically put on Tier II. The time bonus for the first code is 1 million divided by the number of seconds taken. Solutions are deemed correct only if the solution is an exact match or differs by only one or two letters.

Note: The following cryptogram types are listed in a hierarchy of difficulty.

Messages with Spaces and a Hint
These cryptograms are similar to those published in 20th century newspapers.

Messages with Spaces
These cryptograms are similar to NSA and diplomatic messages, and do not have a hint.

Messages with Spaces and Spelling Errors
These cryptograms are similar to FBI and organized crime messages.

Messages without Spaces
These cryptograms are similar to NSA and espionage messages, and have a hint.

Messages without Spaces or Hints
These cryptograms are extremely difficult and might not be tested very frequently.

Messages in Spanish
One cryptogram may be in Spanish as a challenge. At states, there will be exactly one.

Hill Cipher
NOTE: These cryptograms will be matrix based, and only use 2x2 or 3x3 matrices.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Cipher from The Adventure of the Dancing Men
=External Links=

Trial Rules

Cryptogram Workbook (lots of practice problems, 139 pages)

Mono-alphabetic Substitution Cipher Practice

Game-like Cryptogram Practice