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