Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — September 30, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid for September 30, 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 46

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 3).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 4).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
  5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 2).
  6. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 6).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 6).
  9. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
  10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 6).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 7).
  12. Two last candidates (row 4): Eliminate 4 cells adjacent to both (row 3, column 8).
  13. Two last candidates (row 3): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 2, column 6).
  14. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 4).
  15. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 5).
  16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  17. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
  18. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
  19. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
  20. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
  21. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
  22. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
  23. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
  24. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
  25. Column 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 9).
  26. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 1).
  27. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 2).
  28. Two last candidates (column 4): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 6, column 3).
  29. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 4).
  30. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
  31. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
  32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
  33. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 1).
  34. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 8).
  35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
  36. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 7).
  37. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 2).
  38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
  39. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
  40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 1).
  41. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 1).
  42. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 2).
  44. Column 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
  45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
  46. 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.