Expert Star Battle answer — February 3, 2026

Full written solution

Every deduction from the walkthrough above, in order. Each technique is explained in the Star Battle strategy guide.

1. Starting position — the grid is split into regions (bold outlines). Each row, column, and region needs exactly two stars, and no two stars may touch.
2. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 2).
3. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 7, column 6).
4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 7).
5. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
6. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 8).
7. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
8. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
9. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
10. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 6).
11. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 5).
12. Row 6 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 4).
14. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
15. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 3).
16. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 4).
17. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 2).
18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 2).
19. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
20. Two last candidates (row 7): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 8, column 1).
21. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
22. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
23. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 8).
24. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 9).
25. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 6).
26. Clump analysis (Row 9): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 7, column 1).
27. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
28. Squeeze (rows 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 1, column 8).
29. Two last candidates (column 8): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 3, column 7).
30. Two last candidates (row 3): Eliminate 3 cells adjacent to both (row 2, column 4).
31. Two last candidates (column 5): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 2, column 6).
32. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 8).
33. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 7).
34. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
36. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 6).
37. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
38. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
39. Column 4 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 2).
42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
43. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
47. Column 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 2).
48. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 3).
49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
51. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.