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