Medium Star Battle answer — June 5, 2026

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