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