Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — September 25, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid for September 25, 2026 — every star placed with pure logic, one deduction at a time, no guessing. Tap Next to step through it.

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