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