Expert Star Battle answer — May 1, 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 2, column 9).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 9).
4. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
6. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
7. Column 9 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 9).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 7).
9. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 7).
11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 7).
12. 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 7).
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 4, column 3).
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 1).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 1).
16. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
17. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
18. Squeeze (rows 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 4, column 1).
19. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 5).
20. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 5).
21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
22. Row 2 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
23. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
24. Crowding (Row 6): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 7, column 5).
25. Squeeze (rows 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 7, column 6).
26. Squeeze (rows 6-7): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 5).
27. Crowding (Row 8): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 9, column 7).
28. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
29. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
34. Column 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 5).
35. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 2).
36. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 3).
37. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
40. Row 3 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 3, column 1).
41. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 6).
43. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
45. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
46. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
48. Column 3 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 3).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 4).
50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
51. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
52. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 6).
53. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
54. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
55. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
56. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.