In my opinion, the cipher could be a tri-digital cipher or another variation of the straddling checkerboard cipher. I have added a page called "Cipher Descriptions" and have also added a first and second entry for the straddling checkerboard and tri-digital ciphers, respectively. This page is intended to help describe what I have come to understand about the ciphers that have--and may later--come into play, as most of the information on the web is scattered, diverse, and relatively incomplete. Not only should this page help outline the key concepts, but the word choices and examples are intended to break the descriptions down into simple, easy-to-understand language. You can also access the page via the Quick Resource Guide.
Between the two, I think it is much more likely that the cipher would be tri-digital rather than straddling checkerboard, simply because of the number of 9's. Now, there are instances where there are double 9's, which could only be used to symbolize a total break, perhaps a period. Furthermore, there are more than two numbers that are between double 9's, while there are generally only two accepted letters that can stand on their own: I and A. Either these letters are meant to stand on their own within the context of the cipher clue, or it is not a tri-digital cipher.
Assuming that it is a tri-digital cipher, however, the following description helps explain how it is used. You can find this example and one for the straddling checkerboard on the Cipher Descriptions page, of course.
The Tri-Digital Cipher:
Description
The tri-digital cipher is a variation on the straddling checkerboard, and is actually very similar. However, the spaces are set in the last column by default and there is an extra step that involves using a ten-digit keyword or key phrase to set the order of the column-heading numbers. Furthermore, the keyword or key phrase that is used within the table is actually composed of nine letters, as the last column is the only space left blank. It is also important to note that this is harder than simply substituting letters for numbers like in the straddling checkerboard cipher, for all of the numbers except a couple have three letter possibilities.
Step-By-Step
Below is an example of a tri-digital setup, including a step-by-step description of how to compose the keyword alphabet used in decoding the cipher text:
- First and foremost, decide a ten-letter word or phrase that is going to be used to determine the order of the numbers that head the columns in the keyword alphabet. I will use "CHRISJHORN" for this example.
- After deciding a keyword / key phrase, the next step is to assign
the numbers 0-9 (with 0 being after 9--you can think of it as the number
"10") to the letters in alphabetical order. In the case that some
letters are repeated, simply place the lower number in place of the
first instance of that letter, and the next higher number in place of
the second letter, so on and so forth. In this example:C H R I S J H O R N1 2 8 4 0 5 3 7 9 6
Note that the first "H" gets 2, the second gets 3; the first "R" gets 8, the second gets 9 - Just like the straddling checkerboard, fill in the heading for the columns with the numbers 0-9 in the order you determined via the keyword / phrase:
1
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
3
|
7
|
9
|
6
|
4. The next step is to determine a 9-letter keyword or phrase. This keyword or phrase can be
composed of any letters, but repeat letters are excluded. The first nine columns in the second
row will be filled with these letters, leaving the last column (in this example, column "6")
blank. I will use the key phrase: "I LOVE PIZZAS", which when I exclude repeat letters
would break down into: "I LOVE PZAS". I then add this to the table under the numbers:
1
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
3
|
7
|
9
|
6
|
I
|
L
|
O
|
V
|
E
|
P
|
Z
|
A
|
S
|
-
|
5. Then, much like the straddling checkerboard, fill in the rest of the letters of the alphabet, being
sure to leave the last column blank. There will also be another blank spot in the last row of the
second-to-last column:
1
|
2
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
3
|
7
|
9
|
6
|
I
|
L
|
O
|
V
|
E
|
P
|
Z
|
A
|
S
|
-
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
J
|
K
|
M
|
-
|
N
|
Q
|
R
|
T
|
U
|
W
|
X
|
Y
|
-
|
-
|
6. Now that the keyword alphabet is composed, we can begin the tedious process of deciphering
our cipher text. It is important to understand that there are three possible letters for each of the
numbers, except for the number in the last column which has no letters but is considered a
space modifier, and the number in the second-to-last column which only has two possible
letters. The best way to do this is to start a table that lists the number, followed by the possible
letters listed below it. It is then easier to "eyeball" the different combinations and pick the
combo that forms an actual word.
Putting It to Use:
We will use the example ciphertext: "76257 22010 11062 15508"
First, break it down into a table that lists the possible letters for each number:
7
|
6
|
2
|
5
|
7
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
8
|
A
|
-
|
L
|
P
|
A
|
L
|
L
|
E
|
I
|
E
|
I
|
I
|
E
|
-
|
L
|
I
|
P
|
P
|
E
|
O
|
K
|
-
|
C
|
H
|
K
|
C
|
C
|
G
|
B
|
G
|
B
|
B
|
G
|
-
|
C
|
B
|
H
|
H
|
G
|
D
|
Y
|
-
|
Q
|
W
|
Y
|
Q
|
Q
|
U
|
N
|
U
|
N
|
N
|
U
|
-
|
Q
|
N
|
W
|
W
|
U
|
R
|
Then, pick only the letters that can form whole words--this is easier to do with the space modifier (6) separating the words:
7
|
6
|
2
|
5
|
7
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
8
|
A
|
-
|
A
|
L
|
L
|
E
|
I
|
-
|
I
|
P
|
E
|
|||||||||
-
|
C
|
H
|
G
|
G
|
-
|
C
|
H
|
||||||||||||
-
|
N
|
N
|
-
|
R
|
Finally, simply copy down the resulting words and spaces: "A CHALLENGING CIPHER"
____________________________________________
Hopefully this helps give a clearer idea of what I'm talking about. I want to stress that I'm not 100% sure that is is a tri-digital or straddling checkerboard cipher, not even close to 100%, but that they are a possibility. Furthermore, the cipher could use a combination of these two ideas, or could involve many more steps like the VIC cipher does. This is not a sure science, not without knowing for certain what the design of the cipher is. It is, however, a starting point.
And for right now, that seems to be the only thing we've got . . . .
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