Inkwell Stars solution — May 5, 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 5, column 1).
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 5, column 2).
4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 2).
5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 1).
7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 2).
8. 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 9).
9. 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 10).
10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 10).
11. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
12. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 9).
13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 10).
14. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 7, column 5).
15. 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 5).
16. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 6).
17. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
18. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 3).
19. 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 1).
20. 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).
21. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 1).
22. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
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 9, column 9).
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 10, column 9).
25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 8).
26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
27. Clump analysis (Column 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 6).
28. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 4).
29. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
30. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
31. Row 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 8).
32. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 9, column 6).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 5).
34. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 10).
35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 10).
36. Column 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
37. Column 10 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 10).
38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
40. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
41. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
42. Region complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 4).
43. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
44. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 4, column 2).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 1).
46. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
48. Column 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 2).
50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 3).
51. Column 2 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
52. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 5).
53. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 5).
54. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
55. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 1, column 8).
56. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 7).
57. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
58. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
59. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
60. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 9).
61. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
62. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
63. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
64. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 5, column 7).
65. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
66. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.