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