Hard Star Battle answer — September 25, 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 (Row 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 3).
3. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 5).
4. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 5).
5. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 8).
6. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 6).
7. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 5).
8. Crowding (Row 2): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 1, column 6).
9. Squeeze (rows 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 2).
10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 3).
11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 3).
12. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
13. Column 3 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 3).
14. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 4).
15. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
16. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 6).
17. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 4, column 8).
18. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 7).
19. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
20. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 5).
21. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
22. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 7).
23. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
25. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
26. Column 7 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 7).
27. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 8).
28. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
29. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
30. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
31. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 1).
32. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
33. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
36. Row 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
37. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 2).
38. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 1).
40. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 5).
41. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 9).
43. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 1).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
45. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
47. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.