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