Inkwell Games · Stars

Inkwell Stars solution — November 3, 2026

Stuck on today's Inkwell Games Stars puzzle? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 10×10 grid for November 3, 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 53

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 7, column 5).
  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 7, column 6).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 5).
  5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
  6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 3).
  7. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 2).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 2).
  9. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 3).
  11. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
  12. Column 3 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 3).
  13. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 2).
  14. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  15. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
  16. Row 5 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 7).
  17. Column 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 2).
  18. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 4).
  19. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 4).
  20. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  21. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
  22. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
  23. Region complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  24. Row 3 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 6).
  25. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 5).
  26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
  27. Column 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 5).
  28. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
  29. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
  30. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 7).
  31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
  33. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  34. Row 6 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 9).
  35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 10).
  36. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 10).
  37. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 8).
  38. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
  39. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 10).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 10).
  41. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 6).
  42. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 10).
  43. Column 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 6).
  44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
  45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
  46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
  47. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 10, column 7).
  48. Column 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 10, column 8).
  49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 9).
  50. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 10).
  51. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 1).
  52. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 1).
  53. 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.