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