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