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