Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — March 31, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 10×10 grid for March 31, 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 61

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 9).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 2, column 9).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
  5. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 9).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 10).
  7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 2).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 3, column 2).
  9. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 2).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 3).
  12. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 5).
  13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 3, column 5).
  14. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  15. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 2, column 7).
  16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  17. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 5).
  18. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 6).
  19. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 8).
  20. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 6, column 8).
  21. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
  22. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 8).
  23. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 9).
  24. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 1).
  25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 7, column 1).
  26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  27. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 10, column 1).
  28. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 10, column 2).
  29. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 4).
  30. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 7, column 4).
  31. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
  32. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 6, column 10).
  33. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 10).
  34. Region complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
  35. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 6).
  36. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 10).
  37. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
  38. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 7).
  39. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  40. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 5).
  41. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
  42. Column 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 5).
  43. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 4).
  44. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
  45. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 3).
  46. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  47. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 7).
  48. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 1, column 1).
  49. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
  50. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 2).
  51. Row 9 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 6).
  52. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 6).
  53. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 10, column 9).
  54. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 8).
  55. Column 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 2).
  56. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 3).
  57. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 10, column 6).
  58. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 7).
  59. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 8).
  60. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  61. 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.