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