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