Dr. Sudoku Prescribes #65 – Star Battle
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
Theme: Broken Window
Rules: Standard Star Battle rules. Two stars per row, column, and region.
Answer String: For each row from top to bottom, enter the number of the first column from the left where a star appears. Enter these numbers as a single string with no separators.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 3:30, Master = 5:00, Expert = 10:00
Solution: PDF
Note: Follow this link for other classic Star Battles and this link for Star Battle variations. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Star Battles to get started on. More Star Battle puzzles can be found in The Art of Puzzles, in the book Star Battle by JinHoo Ahn, and in our beginner-friendly collection Intro to GMPuzzles by Serkan Yürekli.
Very nice. The solving was really enjoyable.
I severely broke this in my first attempt and had to start from scratch, but it was an enjoyable solve nonetheless. The discussion of Star Battle regions/geometry from Ask Dr. Sudoku #3 was very helpful for getting started.
I got hung up for a little while during the middle of the solve, but once I got unstuck, I finished without a problem. Still not sure whether there was something subtle in the middle of the solve, or whether I was just being dense.
11’11”
Had a good solving path.
I’m a fan of the new message layout. No more crunched replies!
Ah, but do we dare now allow another level of threading? For the moment, the answer is no.
Excellent puzzle, this made me remember your LMI Puzzle Marathon 2013 Star Battle. Thanks to that puzzle I was able to deduce some methods of solving on my own.
Just hit the expert level on this one.
I do seem to like those 3×3 squares!
Nice solve but a tough jaunt once the first few are in! 4:23, would have been quicker had I not been staring at the puzzle for a while waiting for inspiration!
Online version, although not sure I entered it right as found it had a non-unique solution: [EDIT: Removed as we added our own official link to post]
Can you clarify where you thought you saw a variation of an answer that is still consistent with Star Battle no touching rules? While we appreciate that you are adding the solving links for some to use later, we don’t want rumors of incorrect puzzles when we are 100% sure this has a unique solution.
7:43 nice puzzle