Medium Star Battle answer — October 16, 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 3).
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 8, column 4).
4. 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 7).
5. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 4, column 7).
6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 8).
7. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 5).
9. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 5).
10. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 3).
11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 2).
12. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 4).
14. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
15. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 4).
16. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 6).
17. Clump analysis (Region 7): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 4, column 1).
18. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
19. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
20. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 3).
21. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
22. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
23. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
24. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 5).
25. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
27. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
28. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 1).
29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
33. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
35. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 1, column 7).
36. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 6).
37. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 7).
38. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 2).
39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
40. Column 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 6).
41. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 6, column 7).
42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 7).
43. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 8).
44. Row 5 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 5, column 9).
45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 9).
46. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
47. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 8).
49. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
50. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 8).
51. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
52. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.