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
- Errors found View one example
- Duration
- 16m 40s
- Round cost
- $0.2390 All 18 turns
Format warning
The model sent replies in the wrong format.
The Guesser sent 1 invalid reply. Each one before the question limit used up a counted turn. The model was only reminded of the required format; it was never told whether its question or guess was correct.
- Valid format
- 94.4%
- Format errors
- 1
- Turns used by format errors
- 1
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":"XSZW5TRZ"}Valid replies are shown in the required format. Rejected replies are shown separately, without provider or call IDs.
Reply in the wrong format.
Invalid action · fixed format reminder sent
Why this reply was rejectedInvalid action · turn 1
The reply was JSON, but it matched neither the ASK nor the GUESS format.
- Recorded type
invalid_action- Turn
- 1
- Counted
- Yes · question 1
- Feedback
- FORMAT_ERROR
{"action":"ASK","question":"Is this person a real historical figure rather than a fictional character?"}{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"<non-empty yes-or-no property question>"}}{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"<non-empty identifying description>","name":"<non-empty candidate name>","question":null}} A reply must match one of these formats exactly. Text fields in use must not be empty; unused fields must be JSON null.
Is this person a real historical or contemporary individual (rather than a fictional character)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person a real historical or contemporary individual (rather than a fictional character)?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King — American novelist; also known as Richard Bachmann and Stephen Edwin King.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
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.
sex or gender: maleOpen wikidata.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person still alive?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person still alive?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The official Stephen King website lists latest news about his upcoming work and a new short story by Stephen King.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person known primarily as an athlete?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known primarily as an athlete?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
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)
Occupation: AuthorOpen en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person known primarily for work in entertainment, such as acting or music?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known primarily for work in entertainment, such as acting 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)
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)
Is this person a politician or head of state?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person a politician or head of state?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world's most successful writers.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
King said he would not run or serve [as Governor of Maine].Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person known primarily for business or technology, such as being a founder or executive?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known primarily for business or technology, such as being a founder or executive?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
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)
He has since published over 50 books and has become one of the world's most successful writers.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person known for work in science or academia?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known for work in science or academia?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Occupation: AuthorOpen en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
He began teaching high school English classes at Hampden Academy...Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person known for work in literature, such as being an author or poet?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known for work in literature, such as being an author or poet?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Best-selling author Stephen King rose to fame in the 1970s with his debut novel Carrie.Open biography.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing fiction, such as novels?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing fiction, such as novels?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is a prolific American novelist known for blending horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the macabre.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)
Does this person primarily write in English?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Does this person primarily write in English?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is an American novelist; he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a teaching certificate.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
His official biography states that King made his first professional short story sale and continued to produce short stories and novels.Open stephenking.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing in the fantasy or science fiction genre?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing in the fantasy or science fiction genre?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
King is still America's dominant horror writer.Open newyorker.com (opens in a new tab)
His debut, Carrie (1974), established him in horror.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing literary fiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing literary fiction?"}}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)
Dubbed the "King of Horror," he is widely known for his horror fiction.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing mystery, thriller, or crime fiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing mystery, thriller, or crime fiction?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
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)
Dubbed the "King of Horror", he is widely known for his horror fiction and has also explored other genres, among them suspense and crime.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing romance or horror fiction?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing romance or horror fiction?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is a prolific American novelist known for blending horror, fantasy, science fiction, and the macabre.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King ... is an American writer ... whose books are credited with reviving the genre of horror fiction in the late [20th century].Open kids.britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Is this person primarily known for writing romance?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person primarily known for writing romance?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Stephen King is an American novelist known for blending horror, macabre themes, fantasy, and science fiction.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Dubbed the “King of Horror”, he is widely known for his horror fiction.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
Stephen King
American author best known for horror novels such as The Shining, It, and Carrie
Validator rationale The proposed identity matches Stephen King and the identifying description is consistent with the trusted subject.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"American author best known for horror novels such as The Shining, It, and Carrie","name":"Stephen King","question":null}}