Star Battle

Star Battle is a placement puzzle associated with the modern Japanese puzzle tradition and published widely by logic-puzzle setters. A grid is divided into regions, and the usual beginner format asks for one star in every row, column, and region. Stars also need a king-move gap: two stars may not share an edge or a corner. That combination turns a small symbol into a chain of useful exclusions. Look for a row with only one available square, then play the free Star Battle board above.

1. Open Star Battle and read the clues before placing anything. Count the empty cells in each row, column, and colored region.
2. Click a square to place or remove a star. Treat a star as a reason to remove its eight neighboring candidates.
3. Use regions as well as rows and columns. A region that already has its star rules out every other cell inside it.
4. Check the no-touching rule after every placement, including diagonal contact.
5. Finish when all six rows, columns, and regions contain their required star.
6. Use the restart button for a fresh board. Your current moves stay in the browser while you solve, so you can pause and return to the same deduction.

• Each row contains exactly one star in this six-by-six board.
• Each column contains exactly one star.
• Each colored region contains exactly one star.
• Two stars cannot be adjacent horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
• An empty square can hold at most one star.
• A completed board must satisfy every clue at the same time. One correct-looking row does not finish the puzzle if another constraint remains unresolved.
• This version runs locally in your browser, with no account or download required.

• Start with a row or region where only one cell survives the exclusions.
• Use edge and corner stars early because they eliminate fewer neighboring cells and make their row or column count easier to track.
• Pair two clues. If a region has two candidates in the same row, that row cannot accept a star elsewhere in those columns.
• Look for a crowded group of candidates. A star in one cell can remove a whole diagonal chain around it.
• Do not place stars merely because a square looks central. Star Battle is solved by counts and contact rules, not visual balance.
• Mark certain information first. A forced cell removes more candidates than a guess and gives you a reliable next step.
• When two candidates remain, compare both against the row, column, region, and neighbor restrictions before committing.
• Keep a small mental record of what a clue still needs. Revisiting that count after each placement often reveals a move that was hidden at the start.

• Two-star Star Battle: Larger boards usually place two stars in every row, column, and region. The same no-touching rule creates longer deduction chains.
• Star Battle with marked cells: Some setters add shaded or forbidden cells to change the opening pattern while keeping the row, column, region, and contact rules.

• The rules fit on a few lines, so a beginner can start quickly.
• Every star creates several useful eliminations.
• Irregular regions make each board feel different.
• A six-by-six puzzle works well on a phone.
• The no-touching rule creates satisfying diagonal deductions.

Play Star Battle online for free on Clasica Games. The puzzle opens directly on this page, touch controls work on small screens, and the restart control deals another practice position. Start with a clue you understand, make one careful move, and let the board reveal the next question.

Star Battle rewards careful reading and a steady chain of deductions. Start with the clearest clue, check its neighbors, and keep the goal visible. When you want a short logic break, play Star Battle online free in your browser and try the board above.

• Nikoli puzzle collection
• Star Battle solving guide by Grandmaster Puzzles