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