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