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