Hard Star Battle answer — June 10, 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 7, column 7).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 6).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 8).
6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
7. Row 7 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 1).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 3).
9. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
10. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
11. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
12. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 2).
13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 3).
14. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 1, column 2).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 3).
16. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
17. Column 3 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 3).
18. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
19. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
20. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
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 2, column 6).
23. Two last candidates (column 2): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 3, column 1).
24. Two last candidates (column 4): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 3, column 5).
25. Clump analysis (Row 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 6).
26. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 2).
27. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
30. Clump analysis (Row 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 7).
31. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 1).
32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
33. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 5).
34. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 7).
36. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
37. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 9).
38. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
40. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
42. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 8).
43. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 7).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
46. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
47. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 7).
48. Column 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 8).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 9).
50. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.