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