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