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