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