Hard Star Battle answer — October 11, 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: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 8).
3. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 6).
4. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 3, column 6).
5. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 7).
6. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 4).
8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 4).
9. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 6, column 5).
10. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 4).
11. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 8).
12. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 3).
13. Squeeze (columns 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 9).
14. Composite container (columns 1-6): Regions 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are confined here, so the leftover cells owe exactly 1 of the band's 12 stars - a star on these cells would crowd them out (row 5, column 5).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 4).
16. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
17. Crowding (Row 7): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 8, column 7).
18. Squeeze (rows 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 5).
19. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
20. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 2).
21. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
22. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 7).
23. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 9).
24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
25. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 6).
26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 6).
27. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
28. Row 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
29. Column 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 6).
30. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 5).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 5).
35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
36. Row 2 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
37. Row 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
40. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 8).
41. Column 2 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
42. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 1).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
44. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
45. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 1).
46. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 3).
47. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 3).
48. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 9).
49. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 3, column 9).
50. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
51. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
52. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.