In Quarter no.1 you were invited to decode Golden KeyCode No1. as a benchmark test. That benchmark test has ended.

When the main site goes live – and we’re not there yet - you will be given challenges in groups, according to your chosen skill level. You do not have to choose a skill level at all, but those who do and who also get the answers fastest will be ranked higher. Rankings will later convert to percentage points, which may convert to a share of the Discretionary Prize Fund. When you decide on your skill level you must stick with it throughout Series 1, though you should read on for exceptions to this rule.

Whatever you choose, choose wisely.

Those who choose the easy route may get further faster, but at the cost of a possible bigger slice of the Discretionary Prize Fund (The prize fund comes into play when the main site is launched).

Those who recently joined  gkeyq.com and nailed their colours to the mast will automatically be awarded additional percentage points upon launch. The option to indicate your preferred level prior to the main launch has now expired.

EXCEPTIONS:
Those in the benchmark test rankings in Quarter no.1 got to change their minds throughout Quarter no.2 in inverse relation to their ranking number. As Quarter No. 2 has ended, this option has expired.

Rememember, the benchmark test that gave the ranking in Quarter no.1 is valued at level 3.

There are 6 levels, 1 to 6.

The benchmark test on the Home page remains there for you to gauge your own ability, though we offered up a second level 3 test of a different variety: a riddle, to which no one submitted the answer we were looking for in the time allowed.

Key No. 3 is a level 4 test.

Good Luck!

NEW TOOL: Public domain movie, "Secret Agent." Watch the free public domain movie. Analyse it closely. When the main site launches, your knowledge of this film will play a crucial part in the game. Watch, learn and inwardly digest...

GENERAL RULES: Rules are available at the main site. Launch it live with your participation. Spread the word.

GENERAL TOOLS: We believe in a level playing field. To that end, each of you will need to know the basic professional codebreaker toolkit. Some of these tools have been used to decipher codes for thousands of years. They're tried and tested. The quest may require all, some, or none of them to be used. That is for you to discover. This a list of the most noteworthy names, as a starting point. You can research their application on the web. Many websites give superb explanations of their use.

1) Digraph Cipher
2) Rail Fence Cipher
3) Caesar Cipher
4) Latin Square
5) Pigpen Cipher
6) Homophonic Cipher
7) Vigenere Cipher
8) Kama-Sutra Cipher
9) Monoalphabetic Cipher
10) Playfair Cipher



The most gifted mathematician on Earth has the same chance of solving this puzzle-quest as anyone who can read and work through things logically, and also apply a bit of lateral thinking. That's all it takes. The Cipher list on this page is our way of saying it doesn't get any harder than what's applied in their use, but it's equally possible that all clues can be unravelled with minimal effort. It is as well to know that we know the very best in cryptography, but may or may not deploy its ingenuity. That's for you to figure out.