Expert Star Battle answer — June 13, 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 2, column 4).
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 2, column 5).
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 6).
5. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 4).
6. 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 7).
7. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 6).
8. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
9. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 4).
10. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
11. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
12. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
13. Column 4 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 4).
14. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 6).
15. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 7).
16. Clump analysis (Column 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 2).
17. Clump analysis (Column 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 6).
18. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 8).
19. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 6).
20. 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 8).
21. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 7).
22. Squeeze (columns 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 1).
23. Squeeze (columns 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 9).
24. Undercounting: 2 regions fit in rows 8-9, eliminate 2 outside candidates (row 8, column 1).
25. Composite container (columns 1-3): Regions 4 and 6 are confined here, so the leftover cells owe exactly 2 of the band's 6 stars - a star on these cells would crowd them out (row 6, column 3).
26. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 5).
27. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
29. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
30. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 6).
31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 7).
32. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 5).
33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 3).
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 6, column 8).
35. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 9).
36. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 8).
37. Row 6 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
39. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 1).
40. Column 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 9).
41. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 2).
42. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 2).
43. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 2).
46. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 8).
47. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 8).
48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
50. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 1).
51. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
52. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 1).
53. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
54. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
55. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
56. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.