Hard Star Battle answer — March 9, 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 4, column 6).
3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 6).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
6. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 6).
7. 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 7).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 6).
9. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
10. Column 6 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 9).
12. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 7, column 9).
13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 9).
14. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
15. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
16. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 8).
17. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
18. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
19. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 8).
20. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
21. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
22. 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).
23. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
24. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 4).
25. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 2).
26. Two last candidates (row 4): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 5, column 2).
27. Clump analysis (Column 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
28. Squeeze (rows 1-2): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 2).
29. Clump analysis (Column 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 1).
30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 2).
34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
36. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
38. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
40. Row 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
41. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 1).
42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
46. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 1).
47. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
48. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.