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