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