Inkwell Stars solution — April 22, 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 6, column 3).
3. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (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: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (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 star needed, 1 candidate (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 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 4).
15. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
16. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
17. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
18. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (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 hold a star (row 9, column 5).
22. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 8).
23. 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 2).
24. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 9, column 2).
25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 3).
26. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
28. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
30. Column 8 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
31. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 7).
32. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 7).
33. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
34. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 9).
35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
36. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
37. Mark 1 cell 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 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
42. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
45. Column 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 5).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
48. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 1).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 1).
50. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.