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