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