Hints for Star Battle #53
Hints for the Star Battle of November 5, 2026. It has exactly one solution, and you can reach it by logic alone, so whenever you are stuck the next step uses one of the 6 techniques below.
Play it first, then come back for as much as you need. Closed, each hint shows only the name of a technique. Open one to see where to look, why, and the cells it rests on.
The hints, in solving order
Often the name alone is enough: knowing which kind of step comes next is most of the problem.
Step 1Cells caught between candidates
Look at the highlighted region.
This region (region 1) has four open cells left, and its star must be in one of them. Any cell touching all four is out.
On any board. When a row, column, or region is down to two or three open cells sitting close together.
Step 2Several regions filling the same rows
Look at the highlighted regions and rows.
These two regions (regions 1 and 2) have open cells in only two rows and need all the stars those rows (rows 1 and 2) have left.
On any board. When two or three regions are each squeezed into the same small band of rows or columns, and no single one of them is confined on its own.
How “Several regions filling the same rows” works, on any board →
Step 3Only enough room left
Look at the highlighted row.
This row (row 2) has one open cell left.
On any board. Whenever eliminations have narrowed a row, column, or region down to just enough cells.
Step 4Stars cannot touch
Look at the highlighted star.
No star can touch the highlighted star (C2), not even at a corner.
On any board. Immediately after placing any star.
Step 5A full line is closed
Look at the highlighted column.
This column (column C) already has its star.
On any board. After placing the last star a row, column, or region was owed.
Step 6A region trapped in a row or column
Look at the highlighted region and row.
Every open cell of this region (region 3) is in one row, so that row (row 3) must take its star from this region.
On any board. When every open cell of a region sits in the same row, or in the same column, or spans just two of them.
How “A region trapped in a row or column” works, on any board →
The answer
Here if you want it. Try the hints above first.
Show the solved board for #53
9 stars, no two touching, one in every row, column and region. That is the only arrangement that fits.