Medium Star Battle answer — August 21, 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 3, column 4).
3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 4).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
7. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 4).
8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 3).
9. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 6).
11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 6).
12. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 4, column 7).
13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 7).
14. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
15. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 8).
16. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
17. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 1, column 7).
18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 8).
19. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
20. Column 8 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 8).
21. Two last candidates (row 4): Eliminate 4 cells adjacent to both (row 3, column 1).
22. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
23. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 6).
24. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 6).
25. Row 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
26. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
27. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
28. Column 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 6).
29. Two last candidates (column 3): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 6, column 2).
30. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
32. Region complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 3).
33. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 1).
34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 5).
36. Region complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 7).
37. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 3).
38. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
40. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 1).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 5).
43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
44. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 1).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
46. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
47. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 9, column 9).
48. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.