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