Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — February 24, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 10×10 grid for February 24, 2026 — every star placed with pure logic, one deduction at a time, no guessing. Step through it below.

⭐ A free tool made by puzzle fans, for the Inkwell Stars community.

Done with today's Stars? We publish four free Star Battle puzzles every day, easy to expert — no app, no account.

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

Want to solve the next one yourself?

Play free daily Star Battle (the same puzzle, also called Two Not Touch) — easy to expert, no app.

Play now Sign up free
← Previous day
All solutions
Next day →

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.