The Christmas Investigations - Crystal Maze

Christmas Investigations
Part Three

In the third of our Christmas Investigations we take a look at one of of the most popular game shows in the UK. Based on the French game show Fort Boyard; The Crystal Maze is a show everyone remembers fondly, the question is:

How do you decide when it is in your teams favour to buy someone out?

The Christmas Investigations - The Adventure Game

Christmas Investigations
Part Two

In our second Christmas Investigation we travel to Arg, the planet featured in the classic BBC game show - The Adventure Game. We'll tackle some multi stage lateral thinking puzzles before we get down to the serious business of money and tackle a mathematical problem with a difference.

Can you decipher the hidden values of the Argond currency?

Lateral Thinking with The Creepy Dolls

Relatively Speaking
Part Two

Oh yes, the Creepy Dolls are back with another puzzle all about birthdays, and like the previous puzzle this is a lateral thinking test. Lateral Thinking might be tough, but puzzles from this genre are also very gratifying to solve.

Hidden Equations

Algebra
Part Three

So far we have looked at simultaneous equations that were hidden in plain sight, as it were.

Of course most puzzles that rely on equations try and hide the method behind flavour; either in the guise of an elaborate story, where a key piece of information is implied but not stated. Or as a diagram, hiding the maths behind abstract imagery.

Trust No One

Puzzling Parables
Part Three

In the third and final entry in this little series of puzzling parables we'll be looking at the strange relationship between the puzzle setter, and solver. It's an odd little relationship because while it is based entirely on trust, it is one that the setter will try to abuse mercilessly.

Deciding What's Important

Puzzling Parables
Part One

In this festive series I aim to introduce you to Logic and Lateral Thinking puzzles by getting you to accept the three certainties of puzzling. I have written a little story about each of these truths and I call them the Puzzling Parables.

Examination Time

Riddles
Part Five

It's time for a challenge, as we get to the end of this series of posts on riddles it's time to put everything you've learned into practice.

First though we're going to take a look at what the ravages of time can do to a puzzle.

Riddle Me This

Riddles
Part Four

Puzzle fans will disagree on how to categorise certain puzzles; but I think it's important to be able to give a name to each kind of puzzle and therefore each strategy for solving them. A cerebral sort of 'know your enemy' if you will.

Today we'll look at the different kinds of riddles available to the dedicated puzzler.

The Puzzling Roy Keane

Riddles
Part Three

Today I had cause to sit through a presentation about Euro 2012 followed by a question and answer session with one Roy Keane, who I am informed is some kind of football player turned broadcaster. I must admit to not particularly looking forward to this training course. Sport, while a great source of puzzle material; has never been of great attraction to me.