Star Battle #8 (October 12, 2026): solution and step-by-step

Each step is a deduction a person can make, in the order our solver found them. Rows and columns are counted from the top-left corner.

1. Cross out row 2, column 3. The mint region still needs two stars that don't touch — this cell can't be one of them, so it's crossed out.

2. Stars at row 5, column 1 and row 7, column 1. The coral region still needs two stars, and its free cells allow only one way to place them without touching — so they go in.

3. Cross out 5 cells. Stars can't touch, not even diagonally — the cells around this star are crossed out.

4. Cross out 3 cells. Stars can't touch, not even diagonally — the cells around this star are crossed out.

5. Cross out 3 cells. Column 1 already has both its stars — the rest of it is crossed out.

6. Stars at row 1, column 2 and row 3, column 2. Column 2 still needs two stars, and its free cells allow only one way to place them without touching — so they go in.

7. Cross out 2 cells. Stars can't touch, not even diagonally — the cells around this star are crossed out.

8. Cross out 2 cells. Stars can't touch, not even diagonally — the cells around this star are crossed out.

9. Star at row 1, column 4. The mint region has only one free cell left — that must be its last star.

10. Cross out 3 cells. Stars can't touch, not even diagonally — the cells around this star are crossed out.

11. Cross out 3 cells. Row 1 already has both its stars — the rest of it is crossed out.

12. Stars at row 2, column 6 and row 2, column 8. Row 2 still needs two stars, and its free cells allow only one way to place them without touching — so they go in.

18 more steps follow until all 16 stars are placed.

Stars by row: row 1: columns 2 and 4; row 2: columns 6 and 8; row 3: columns 2 and 4; row 4: columns 6 and 8; row 5: columns 1 and 3; row 6: columns 5 and 7; row 7: columns 1 and 3; row 8: columns 5 and 7.