Medium Star Battle answer — August 19, 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 9, column 8).
3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 1, column 8).
4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 9).
5. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 1, column 6).
7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 6).
8. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 2).
9. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 6).
10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 7).
11. Clump analysis (Column 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 5).
12. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
13. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 7).
14. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 6).
15. Clump analysis (Row 1): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 2, column 3).
16. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
17. Row 2 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
18. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 1).
19. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
20. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
22. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 3).
23. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 2).
24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
25. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
27. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 5).
28. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
29. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 3).
30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 8).
33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 7).
34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
36. Column 1 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
38. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
40. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 4).
41. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
46. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.