Medium Star Battle answer — July 24, 2025

Full written solution

Every deduction from the walkthrough above, in order. Each technique is explained in the Star Battle strategy guide.

1. Starting position — the grid is split into regions (bold outlines). Each row, column, and region needs exactly two stars, and no two stars may touch.
2. 3-cell region rule: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 8, column 4).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 3).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 5).
6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
7. Row 8 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 1).
8. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 9, column 1).
9. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
10. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
11. Row 9 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 9).
12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 9).
13. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
15. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
16. Column 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 9).
17. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 8).
18. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 8).
19. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
20. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 8).
21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
22. Region complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 6).
23. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
24. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
25. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 1).
26. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 5).
27. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 5, column 3).
28. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 6, column 3).
29. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 2).
30. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
31. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 5).
32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
34. Row 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 5, column 4).
35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
36. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 3, column 2).
37. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 3, column 5).
38. Two last candidates (column 5): Eliminate 3 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 4).
39. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
41. Row 3 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 1).
42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
44. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
45. Row 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 1).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
48. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
49. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 1).
50. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
51. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.