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