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