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