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
- 5m 42s
- Round cost
- $0.2646 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":"BKXG3AZI"}Valid replies are shown in the required format. Rejected replies are shown separately, without provider or call IDs.
Q1
1 · Guesser reply rejectedTurn counted
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 still alive?"}{"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.
2 · System responseFORMAT
Q2
1 · Guesser asks
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.
Genghis Khan died in 1227.Open biography.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.
Gender: MaleOpen biography.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q4
1 · Guesser asks
Is this person known primarily for work in politics or government?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Is this person known primarily for work in politics or government?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan was best known for unifying the Mongolian steppe under a massive empire and was one of the most famous conquerors of history.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q5
1 · Guesser asks
Did this person die in the 20th century (1901-2000)?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Did this person die in the 20th century (1901-2000)?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, died on August 18, 1227.Open ebsco.com (opens in a new tab)
In 1227 ... Chinggis Khan died.Open afe.easia.columbia.edu (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q6
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a political leader in Europe?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a political leader in Europe?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Title / Office: khan (1206–1227), Mongol empire.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Ögedei employed Batu Khan, one of Genghis Khan’s grandsons, to lead the push westward across Europe in 1235.Open nationalgeographic.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q7
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a political leader in the United States?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a political leader in the United States?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan, who united Mongol tribes in 1206.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Genghis Khan (born Temüjin; c. 1162–18 or 25 August 1227) was the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire.Open en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q8
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a political leader in Asia?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a political leader in Asia?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Title / Office: khan (1206–1227), Mongol empire.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Genghis Khan became famous as the Mongolian warrior-ruler who built the largest land empire in the world.Open history.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q9
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a head of state or government of an Asian country?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a head of state or government of an Asian country?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan was a warrior and ruler ... who brought all the nomadic tribes of Mongolia under the rule of himself and his family in a rigidly disciplined military state.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Genghis Khan was the first leader, or Khan, of the Mongol Empire, from 1206 CE–1227 CE.Open historyguild.org (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q10
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader in East Asia?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader in East Asia?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Mongol leader Genghis Khan ... established the largest land empire in history.Open history.com (opens in a new tab)
In the frontier zone of East Asia ... the land that is now Mongolia formed the heart of the great empire of Genghis Khan.Open kids.britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q11
1 · Guesser asks
Did this person lead North Korea?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Did this person lead North Korea?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan ... died on August 18, 1227.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Kim Il-Sung was leader of North Korea from 1948 until his death in 1994.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q12
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader of China?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader of China?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Kublai was the first Mongol to rule over China when he conquered the Song Dynasty of southern China in 1279.Open history.com (opens in a new tab)
In 1279 he completed the conquest of China begun by Genghis Khan and became the first Yuan ruler of all of China.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q13
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader of Japan?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader of Japan?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan was a Mongolian warrior-ruler and died on August 18, 1227.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Kublai Khan ordered Goryeo to prepare troops and warships for the Mongol invasion of Japan; the first invasion occurred in 1274.Open archives.go.jp (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q14
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader of South Korea?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader of South Korea?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan, the Mongol leader ... dies ... in 1227.Open history.com (opens in a new tab)
The government of the Republic of Korea was formed on August 15, 1948.Open korea.net (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q15
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader of Taiwan?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader of Taiwan?"}}Oracle evidence2 model-reported sources
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan ... was a Mongolian warrior-ruler ... who consolidated tribes into a unified Mongolia.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
Presidents of the Republic of China (Taiwan) ... Chiang Kai-shek (1948-1975) was the first- to fifth-term president.Open president.gov.tw (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns No
Q16
1 · Guesser asks
Was this person a leader of Mongolia?
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"ASK","description":null,"name":null,"question":"Was this person a leader of Mongolia?"}}Oracle evidence1 model-reported source
The Oracle reported these excerpts and URLs. They are not independently checked.
Genghis Khan was a Mongolian warrior-ruler ... who consolidated tribes into a unified Mongolia.Open britannica.com (opens in a new tab)
2 · Answer check returns Yes
Q17
1 · Guesser guesses
Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat
Former President of Mongolia (1990–1997) who led the country's transition to democracy and a market economy; he died in 2025.
Validator rationale Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat is a former President of Mongolia, not Genghis Khan.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"Former President of Mongolia (1990–1997) who led the country's transition to democracy and a market economy; he died in 2025.","name":"Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns No
G
1 · Guesser guessesNot counted
Genghis Khan
Founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, who united the Mongol tribes and built the largest contiguous land empire in history.
Validator rationale The proposed identity exactly matches Genghis Khan, the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire.
Recorded Guesser outputRequired JSON format
{"result":{"action":"GUESS","description":"Founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, who united the Mongol tribes and built the largest contiguous land empire in history.","name":"Genghis Khan","question":null}} 2 · Validator returns Yes