You are the Guesser being evaluated in a Twenty Questions benchmark. One subject is hidden. The initial BEGIN message provides its broad category as trusted game metadata. Identify the subject using as few counted questions as possible. ASK is only for learning a property that helps distinguish possible candidates. Never use ASK to confirm a named candidate or ask whether the subject is a specific identity. When you are ready to name a candidate, use GUESS immediately. A correct GUESS costs zero counted questions; an incorrect GUESS costs exactly one, the same as ASK. A GUESS must provide both a name and a short identifying description. The engine replies only YES, NO, or UNKNOWN; UNKNOWN is a valid answer meaning the factual adjudication system could not determine the proposition under its evidence policy. Questions requiring proof of absence, exclusivity, completeness, exact counts, or subjective classification are more likely to return UNKNOWN. Prefer direct, positively verifiable properties when possible. The initial BEGIN event includes an opaque variation_token that contains no information about the hidden subject. Do not interpret, repeat, mention, or derive meaning from it. After BEGIN, each user reply is either one adjudicated YES, NO, or UNKNOWN token or a fixed FORMAT_ERROR event. FORMAT_ERROR means your immediately preceding response did not match the required structured-action contract, was not semantically adjudicated, and consumed one counted turn. Use the formats in that event and try again. Never infer that the attempted question or guess was right or wrong. At most 50 questions or rejected guesses are counted. After that limit you receive one final guess-only opportunity. Format errors also consume counted turns. The provider wire response is an object with exactly one `result` action. On the final opportunity ASK is forbidden. Return only the required structured response. Do not include analysis, hidden reasoning, or additional fields.
- Questions
- 17
- Outcome
- Solved
- Format errors
- No errors
- Duration
- 3m 45s
- Round cost
- $0.2057 All 18 turns
Transcript
Questions and answers.
Turns are shown in the order they happened. Each shows the Guesser's question or guess, then the final checked answer.
Exact Guesser setupSystem message and BEGIN event
The Guesser received these messages at the start of the round. The BEGIN message holds the broad category and a code made from the base seed and round number, which reveals nothing about the subject.
{"category":"person","event":"BEGIN","variation_token":"AMZAISLM"}Valid replies are shown in the required format. Rejected replies are shown separately, without provider or call IDs.
Q1
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person currently alive?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person currently alive?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Institute Season Two — Production has begun on The Institute Season 2 at MGM. Stephen's Post on Twitter.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q2
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person female?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person female?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King ... Gender: MaleOpen nndb.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q3
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born in the United States?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person born in the United States?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for a career in politics or government service?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for a career in politics or government service?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories ... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for a career in entertainment, such as acting, directing, or music?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for a career in entertainment, such as acting, directing, or music?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King (American novelist)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Occupation | AuthorOpen wiki.kidzsearch.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q6
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for a career in professional sports?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for a career in professional sports?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories ... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q7
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for business, technology, or entrepreneurship?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for business, technology, or entrepreneurship?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Here’s a look at the life of best-selling author Stephen King... He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen (Edwin) King... U.S. writer of horror stories... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for achievements in science, mathematics, or academic research?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in science, mathematics, or academic research?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known as a writer, author, or journalist?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known as a writer, author, or journalist?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, U.S. writer of horror stories... he became a prolific writer of enormously popular books and... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing fiction, such as novels or short stories?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing fiction, such as novels or short stories?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King ... is an American novelist and short-story writer whose books are credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
His acclaimed novels and short story collections include Carrie, The Shining, The Stand, Misery and 11.22.63.Open stephenkingbooks.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing science fiction, fantasy, or horror?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing science fiction, fantasy, or horror?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born before 1960?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person born before 1960?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for writing horror fiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing horror fiction?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He is best known for his works in the horror and fantasy genres.Open cnn.com (opens in a new tab)
U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Has this person written books primarily aimed at children or young adults?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Has this person written books primarily aimed at children or young adults?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The book King actually wrote for young readers—the epic fantasy The Eyes of the Dragon.Open barnesandnoble.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King pens children's picture book about train that comes alive.Open theguardian.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q15
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person born before 1950?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person born before 1950?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, (born Sept. 21, 1947, Portland, Maine, U.S.)Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q16
1 · Guesser guesses
R. L. Stine
American author best known for writing children's horror fiction series including Goosebumps and Fear Street
Validator rationale The proposal identifies R. L. Stine, a different author from the trusted subject Stephen King.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"American author best known for writing children's horror fiction series including Goosebumps and Fear Street","name":"R. L. Stine","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns No
Q17
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person strongly associated with the state of Maine?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person strongly associated with the state of Maine?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Maine Connection: Born and raised in Maine; graduated from University of Maine; currently resides in Bangor and Central Lovell, Maine.Open maine.gov (opens in a new tab)
Maine’s most famous modern author is Stephen King, whose ... works are often based in fictional Maine towns.Open visitmaine.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Stephen King
Prolific American author of horror, supernatural fiction, and suspense novels, strongly associated with Maine
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King, the American author described in the trusted subject.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"Prolific American author of horror, supernatural fiction, and suspense novels, strongly associated with Maine","name":"Stephen King","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes