Expert Star Battle answer — April 10, 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 6, 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. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 5).
6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, 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 2, column 5).
8. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 6).
9. 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).
10. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 3).
11. 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).
12. Crowding (Row 8): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 7, column 8).
13. Undercounting: 6 regions fit in cols 4-9, eliminate 2 outside candidates (row 1, column 4).
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 8, column 2).
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 9, column 2).
16. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 3).
17. Squeeze (rows 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 4).
18. Crowding (Row 6): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
19. Clump analysis (Column 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 1).
20. Crowding (Row 4): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 5, column 3).
21. Two last candidates (column 3): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 7, column 4).
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 9, column 6).
23. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 5).
24. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
25. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 7).
26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 6).
27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
28. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
30. Row 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 9).
31. Column 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
32. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 6).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 4).
35. Column 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 3, column 6).
36. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
37. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
38. 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 9).
39. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 2).
40. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
41. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 1).
48. 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 8).
49. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 8).
50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
51. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
52. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
53. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
54. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
55. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
56. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.