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