Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — June 11, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid for June 11, 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 51

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 5).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 5).
  4. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
  5. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 1).
  6. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 2).
  7. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 1).
  8. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 3).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 4).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 1).
  11. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 2).
  12. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 8).
  13. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 9).
  14. Clump analysis (Row 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 4).
  15. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 8).
  16. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 8).
  17. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 9).
  18. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 4).
  19. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
  20. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 3, column 6).
  21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
  22. Clump analysis (Row 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 7).
  23. Clump analysis (Row 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
  24. Squeeze (columns 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 5, column 7).
  25. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 7).
  26. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  27. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 9).
  28. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 8).
  29. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 7).
  30. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 8).
  31. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 8).
  32. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 9).
  33. Composite container (columns 3-5): Regions 2 and 9 are confined here, so the leftover cells owe exactly 3 of the band's 6 stars - a star on these cells would crowd them out (row 6, column 2).
  34. Row completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 6, column 1).
  35. Squeeze (columns 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 2).
  36. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 8, column 1).
  37. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 9, column 3).
  38. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
  39. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
  40. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  41. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 4, column 2).
  42. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
  43. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 3).
  44. Row 3 candidates: Middle cell cannot have star (row 5, column 5).
  45. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 4).
  46. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 5, column 6).
  47. Column 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
  48. Region completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 1, column 5).
  49. Column completion: 1 stars needed, 1 candidates (row 7, column 5).
  50. Mark 1 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 6).
  51. 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.