Medium Star Battle answer — October 25, 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 8, column 8).
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 8, column 9).
4. 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).
5. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 6).
6. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
7. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
8. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
9. Row 3 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 1).
10. 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 2).
11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 3).
12. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
13. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
14. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 5).
16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
17. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 5).
18. 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 8).
19. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 7).
20. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
21. Two last candidates (row 4): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 5, column 8).
22. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 7).
23. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
25. Region complete: Mark 6 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 9).
26. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 1).
27. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
28. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
30. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 8).
31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
34. Column 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 5).
35. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
36. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
37. Row 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
41. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
42. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
43. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
45. Row 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 9).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
47. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.