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