Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — January 6, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid for January 6, 2026 — every star placed with pure logic, one deduction at a time, no guessing. Step through it below.

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Solve walkthrough Step 1 of 58

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 2, column 4).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 5).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 1, column 5).
  5. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 4).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 5).
  8. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 8).
  9. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 8).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 2).
  11. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 2).
  12. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 5).
  13. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 6).
  14. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 6).
  15. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 5).
  16. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
  17. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 5, column 3).
  18. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 2).
  19. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 7, column 4).
  20. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
  21. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 7, column 6).
  22. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
  23. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 5).
  24. Row 5 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
  25. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 7).
  26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 6).
  27. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 9).
  28. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  29. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 6, column 1).
  30. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
  31. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
  32. Row 7 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 8).
  33. Column 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 5).
  34. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 4).
  35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
  36. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 6).
  37. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
  38. Column 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 4).
  39. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 2).
  40. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 1, column 8).
  41. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 8).
  42. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 2).
  43. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 2).
  44. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 2).
  45. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
  46. Row 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 7).
  47. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 7).
  48. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 2, column 9).
  49. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 2).
  50. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
  51. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 3).
  52. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  53. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 1).
  54. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 8).
  55. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
  56. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 8).
  57. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  58. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

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This is an independent, logic-based walkthrough created by TryHard Puzzles to teach Star Battle solving technique. TryHard Puzzles is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Inkwell Games.