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
- 19
- Outcome
- Solved
- Format errors
- No errors
- Duration
- 4m 39s
- Round cost
- $0.1921 All 20 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":"BYOMPCJW"}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 evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Institute Season Two — Posted: February 4th, 2026Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King Streaming Adaptation That Charted In The U.S. Sends Hollywood A Message — Posted: April 16th, 2026Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q2
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work/achievements in the 21st century (2000s or later)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work/achievements in the 21st century (2000s or later)?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
His books are credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Carrie (1974), his first published novel and an immediate success, was followed by such works as The Shining (1977), The Dead Zone (1979), Pet Sematary (1983), It (1986), and Misery (1987).Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q3
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person male?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person male?"}}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 Yes
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in politics or government?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in politics or government?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
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 in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for achievements in sports?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in sports?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
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
Q6
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in entertainment (acting, music, film, or television)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in entertainment (acting, music, film, or television)?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Best-selling author Stephen King ... 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 ... 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 achievements in science, technology, or academia?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for achievements in science, technology, or academia?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
U.S. writer of horror stories... one of the world’s best-selling writers.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a 'New York Times'-bestselling novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres.Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work in business or as an entrepreneur?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work in business or as an entrepreneur?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
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 in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
placeholder
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"placeholder"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person primarily known for work as a writer, author, or in literature?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for work as a writer, author, or in literature?"}}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 Yes
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author primarily known for writing fiction (novels or short stories)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author primarily known for writing fiction (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 author of contemporary horror, thriller, science fiction, and fantasy. King has published 67 novels/novellas ... and five nonfiction books. He has written more than 200 short stories.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
American author Stephen King is a very popular author of horror fiction.Open notablebiographies.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author best known for writing in a genre like fantasy, science fiction, mystery, or thriller (as opposed to literary/mainstream fiction)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author best known for writing in a genre like fantasy, science fiction, mystery, or thriller (as opposed to literary/mainstream 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)
Few writers can lay claim to working in as many different subtypes of genre fiction; he may be best known for his “scary stories.”Open lithub.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
placeholder
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"placeholder"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author primarily known for writing fantasy novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author primarily known for writing fantasy novels?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King ... U.S. writer of horror stories. ... His books blend horror, the macabre, fantasy, and science fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King also remained faithful to the horror genre throughout the years.Open dw.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q15
1 · Guesser asks
This author primarily known for writing science fiction novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"This author primarily known for writing science fiction novels?"}}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 in the late 20th century.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a very popular author of horror fiction.Open encyclopedia.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q16
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author primarily known for writing mystery novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author primarily known for writing mystery novels?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, ... U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a ... novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres.Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q17
1 · Guesser asks
writwritwriting
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"writwritwriting"}} 2 · Answer check returns Unknown
Q18
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author primarily known for writing thriller or suspense novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author primarily known for writing thriller or suspense novels?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
What genres does Stephen King write? Stephen King writes primarily Horror.Open fictiondb.com (opens in a new tab)
Carrie ... helped to establish King’s reputation as a master of horror literature.Open kids.britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q19
1 · Guesser asks
Is this author primarily known for writing horror novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this author primarily known for writing horror novels?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen (Edwin) King, U.S. writer of horror stories.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King is a New York Times-bestselling novelist who made his name in the horror and fantasy genres.Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Stephen King
American author famous for horror novels such as The Shining, It, and Carrie.
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King, the American author associated with The Shining, It, and Carrie.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"American author famous for horror novels such as The Shining, It, and Carrie.","name":"Stephen King","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes