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