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