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