Queens vs Star Battle: what's the difference?
Same idea, different dress. Here is how the rules line up and where to play more.
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Quick answer
If you enjoy a daily game where you place one queen in each row, column and coloured region without any two touching, you already know the one-star version of Star Battle. The mathematics is the same; the name and the look differ.
Rules compared
| Queens-style puzzles | Star Battle (1-star) | |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | Queens | Stars |
| Per row, column, region | One | One |
| Touching | No two may touch, including diagonally | No two may touch, including diagonally |
| Regions | Coloured | Outlined or coloured |
| Variants | One queen per line | Also 2-star and 3-star on bigger grids |
Do the same techniques apply?
Yes. Everything in the Star Battle technique guide applies to Queens-style grids: last candidate, confined regions, neighbor squeeze and region groups.
Where to play
You can play Star Battle in your browser on this site, or use the Pencilmark app for a daily set, hints that explain the next step and a streak. All puzzles are certified to have a single logical solution.
FAQ
Are Queens and Star Battle the same puzzle?
With one star per row, column and region and no touching, the rules are essentially the same. Star Battle is the older and broader family: it also includes versions with two or more stars per line.
Can I play Star Battle for free?
Yes. You can play Star Battle on this site and in the Pencilmark web app without ads or an account.
Is Pencilmark affiliated with LinkedIn?
No. Pencilmark is an independent app. “Queens” is mentioned only to describe a similar puzzle type.