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