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