ChatGPT 5.6 Sol Pro fails on 1,025-item clue-free crossword puzzle

/TECH

The model solved a 150-item grid but timed out on larger tests

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HT

Harry Tandy@HarryTandy

@emollick the jump from one hint to zero clues is wild pokemon names as answers is a fun twist too

11:48 AM · Jul 15, 2026

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EM

Ethan Mollick@emollick

I demonstrated the incredible power of o1-preview/ reasoning less than two years ago by showing it could solve this crossword puzzle with only one hint. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/something-new-on-openais-strawberry Now...

11:46 AM · Jul 15, 2026

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Combined views

20.3K

3 posts, first seen 2h ago

90 likes10 comments

10 comments

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Positive Read

Users are excited about ChatGPT solving a clue-free Pokemon crossword because the zero-clue twist and Pokemon names as answers create a fun challenge.

Based on 1 visible X reactions from 2 accounts; directional sample.

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Something New: On OpenAI's "Strawberry" and Reasoning(oneusefulthing.org)viaEthan Mollick

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Commentary on X

HT

Harry Tandy@HarryTandy

@emollick the jump from one hint to zero clues is wild pokemon names as answers is a fun twist too

11:48 AM · Jul 15, 2026

Reply

EM

Ethan Mollick@emollick

I demonstrated the incredible power of o1-preview/ reasoning less than two years ago by showing it could solve this crossword puzzle with only one hint. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/something-new-on-openais-strawberry Now...

11:46 AM · Jul 15, 2026

Reply

RG

Riley Goodside@goodside

@JeremyKritz Also see this follow-up experiment, using a crossword with all 1,025 Pokémon:

11:48 AM · Jul 15, 2026

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YO

Yohei@yoheinakajima

@goodside curious if it could handle this as a text puzzle

12:01 PM · Jul 15, 2026

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The model solved a 150-item grid but timed out on larger tests

RG

Riley Goodside@goodside

@JeremyKritz Also see this follow-up experiment, using a crossword with all 1,025 Pokémon:

11:48 AM · Jul 15, 2026

Reply

YO

Yohei@yoheinakajima

@goodside curious if it could handle this as a text puzzle

12:01 PM · Jul 15, 2026

Reply

16 saves

4 reposts

Sentiment

Positive100%0%Negative

Positive Read

Users are excited about ChatGPT solving a clue-free Pokemon crossword because the zero-clue twist and Pokemon names as answers create a fun challenge.

Based on 1 visible X reactions from 2 accounts; directional sample.

Useful Links

Something New: On OpenAI's "Strawberry" and Reasoning(oneusefulthing.org)viaEthan Mollick

Digg Deeper

Ask a question below.

Published answers will appear here.