Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — May 21, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 10×10 grid for May 21, 2026 — every star placed with pure logic, one deduction at a time, no guessing. Step through it below.

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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 2, column 3).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 2, column 4).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  5. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 1).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 1).
  7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 3).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 5, column 2).
  9. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
  10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 5).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 5).
  12. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 6).
  13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 6, column 6).
  14. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  15. Column 3 candidates: Middle cell cannot have star (row 9, column 5).
  16. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 5).
  17. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
  18. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 10, column 5).
  19. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 4).
  20. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 7).
  21. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 8).
  22. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 8, column 7).
  23. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
  24. Row 8 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 1).
  25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 9, column 3).
  26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 2).
  27. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 3).
  28. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
  29. Clump analysis (Row 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 9).
  30. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 2).
  31. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 2).
  32. Column 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
  33. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must have star (row 1, column 1).
  34. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 9).
  35. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 10, column 1).
  36. Squeeze (rows 3-4): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 5, column 4).
  37. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 4).
  38. Two last candidates (row 5): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 4, column 9).
  39. Crowding (Column 9): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 2, column 8).
  40. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 2, column 6).
  41. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  42. Clump analysis (Row 1): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 3, column 10).
  43. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  44. Row 3 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 8).
  45. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 9).
  46. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
  47. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 9).
  48. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 10).
  49. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 10, column 7).
  50. Row 9 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  51. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 1).
  52. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 10).
  53. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 7).
  54. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 8).
  55. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 8).
  56. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 6, column 8).
  57. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 10).
  58. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 10).
  59. 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.