Expert Star Battle answer — April 6, 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 6).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 6).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 6).
6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
7. Column 6 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (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 9, column 3).
11. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
12. Row 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
13. 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 8).
14. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 5, column 8).
15. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 5, column 9).
16. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 8).
17. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
18. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 2).
19. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
20. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 4).
21. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
22. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 8, column 8).
23. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 7).
24. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
25. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 8).
26. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 9).
27. 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 1).
28. 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 2).
29. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 1).
30. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
31. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 1, column 8).
32. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
34. Row 4 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 3).
35. 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 4).
36. Two last candidates (row 3): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 2, column 3).
37. Two last candidates (column 5): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 1, column 4).
38. Lookahead: Placing star here leads to contradiction - Region 9 would only have room for 0 of the 1 star it still needs (row 2, column 5).
39. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 7).
40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
41. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
43. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
44. Squeeze (columns 1-2): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 1, column 3).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
48. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 2).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
50. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 1).
51. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
52. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.