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