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