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