Hard 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. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 6).
3. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 8).
4. Clump analysis (Column 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 7).
5. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 6).
6. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 5).
7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 5).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 4).
9. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
10. Clump analysis (Column 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 5).
11. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 3).
12. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
13. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 4).
14. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 1).
15. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
16. Squeeze (rows 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 2).
17. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 6).
18. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 5).
19. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
20. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 8).
21. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 1).
22. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 3).
23. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 6).
24. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
25. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
26. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
27. Clump analysis (Row 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 4).
28. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
29. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
30. Two last candidates (column 2): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 2, column 3).
31. Clump analysis (Column 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 4).
32. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 2).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
34. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 7).
35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
36. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
37. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
38. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
40. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
42. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
45. Column 3 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 3).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 4).
47. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.