Hard Star Battle answer — July 16, 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 7, column 3).
3. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
4. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 8).
5. Star claim: Region 8 must place a star in column 1; cells touching all its options are eliminated (row 8, column 2).
6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 3).
7. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
8. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
9. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
10. Crowding (Region 1): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
11. Squeeze (columns 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 1).
12. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
13. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
14. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 5).
15. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
16. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
17. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
18. Column 3 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 3).
19. 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 7).
20. Two last candidates (column 2): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 1).
21. Two last candidates (column 4): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 5).
22. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 5).
23. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
24. Row 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
25. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 8).
26. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 7).
27. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
28. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 1).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
31. 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).
32. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 6).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
36. Row 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 4).
38. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
40. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
42. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 7).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
44. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 8).
45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 8).
48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
49. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.