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