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