Medium Star Battle answer — September 2, 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: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 5).
3. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 9, column 5).
4. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 3, column 5).
5. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 5).
6. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 4).
8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 5).
9. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 8, column 8).
10. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 3).
11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 8).
12. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 7).
13. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 6, column 5).
14. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 7, column 5).
15. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
17. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 4).
18. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 3).
19. Row 7 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 1).
20. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 6).
21. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
22. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
23. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 9).
24. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
25. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
26. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
27. Row 4 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
28. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 9).
29. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 7).
31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
32. Row 2 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
33. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
35. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
36. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
37. Column 9 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 9).
38. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 1, column 2).
39. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 1).
40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
41. Two last candidates (row 6): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 5, column 1).
42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 2).
44. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 1).
45. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 1).
46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 2).
47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
48. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
49. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.