Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — April 22, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid for April 22, 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 50

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 6, column 3).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 7).
  4. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 4).
  5. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 1).
  6. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 7).
  7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 5).
  8. Squeeze (rows 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 5).
  9. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 4).
  10. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 6).
  11. Row 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 2).
  12. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 2).
  13. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
  14. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 4).
  15. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
  16. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 6, column 8).
  17. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
  18. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 6).
  19. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
  20. Column 6 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
  21. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 9, column 5).
  22. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 8).
  23. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 2).
  24. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 2).
  25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 9, column 3).
  26. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  27. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 1).
  28. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 8).
  29. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  30. Column 8 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
  31. Column 3 candidates: Middle cell cannot have star (row 2, column 7).
  32. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 7).
  33. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 7).
  34. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 4, column 9).
  35. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  36. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 2, column 9).
  37. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  38. Two last candidates (row 4): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 3, column 1).
  39. Clump analysis (Column 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 2).
  40. Crowding (Region 1): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
  41. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 2).
  42. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
  43. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 5).
  44. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
  45. Column 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
  46. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 1, column 3).
  47. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
  48. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  49. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 2, column 1).
  50. 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.