Hard Star Battle answer — October 16, 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. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 1).
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 7, column 8).
5. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 6).
6. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 7).
7. Clump analysis (Region 7): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 8, column 5).
8. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
9. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 3).
10. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 7).
12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 7).
13. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
15. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
16. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 7, column 2).
17. Clump analysis (Column 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
18. Two last candidates (column 6): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 2, column 5).
19. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
20. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 8).
21. Crowding (Row 2): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
22. Crowding (Column 2): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 3, column 1).
23. Squeeze (rows 3-4): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 5, column 2).
24. Squeeze (rows 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 7, column 1).
25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 1).
26. Row 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 9).
27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
28. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
29. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 3).
30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
34. Two last candidates (row 5): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 4, column 8).
35. 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 8).
36. 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 9).
37. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 2).
38. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 1).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
40. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
41. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
42. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 1).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
49. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 7).
50. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
51. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
52. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
53. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
54. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
55. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 8).
56. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
57. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
58. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
59. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.