Medium Star Battle answer — September 27, 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 8, column 7).
3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 7).
4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
5. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 4).
6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 5).
7. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 5).
8. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
9. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
10. Column 5 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
11. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 1).
12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 1).
13. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
14. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 8).
15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 9).
16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
17. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 9).
18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 9).
19. Row 7 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 1).
20. Column 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 9).
21. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
22. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
23. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
24. Row 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
25. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 3).
26. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 2).
27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
28. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
29. Row 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
30. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 2).
31. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
32. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
34. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
35. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 3).
36. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
37. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
38. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 8).
39. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 3).
41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 6).
43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
45. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.