Medium Star Battle answer — September 14, 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. 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 1).
3. 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 2).
4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 1).
5. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 1).
7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 2).
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 8, column 4).
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 7, column 7).
10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 7).
11. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 6).
12. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 7).
13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 8).
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 1, column 6).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 7).
16. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
17. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
18. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
19. Row 1 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
20. Column 7 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 7).
21. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
22. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
23. Row 6 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 3).
24. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 7, column 4).
25. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 3).
26. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
30. Row 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 9).
31. Column 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
32. Column 5 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 5).
33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 9).
34. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 2).
35. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
36. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
37. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
38. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
39. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 4).
40. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
41. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 4).
44. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
46. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 3).
48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 4).
49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
51. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.