Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 27, 2025

Stuck on the July 27, 2025 hard Star Battle (also called Two Not Touch)? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 9×9 grid — every star placed with pure logic, one deduction at a time, no guessing. Tap Next to step through it, or brush up on the rules first.

Solve walkthrough Step 1 of 49

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

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