Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — January 24, 2026

Stuck on the January 24, 2026 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 51

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 9, column 4).
  3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 9, column 3).
  4. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
  5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
  6. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
  7. Row 9 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  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 8, column 8).
  9. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 7).
  10. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, 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 6, column 6).
  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 2, column 1).
  13. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 1).
  14. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
  15. Clump analysis (Column 5): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 6, column 7).
  16. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  17. Column 7 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 7).
  18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 6).
  19. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 5).
  20. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 4).
  21. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 7, column 4).
  22. Two last candidates (column 6): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 5).
  23. Clump analysis (Column 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 3).
  24. Clump analysis (Column 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 9).
  25. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 3).
  26. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
  27. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 6).
  28. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  29. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 8).
  30. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
  31. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
  32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
  33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 9).
  34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  36. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 4).
  37. Row 6 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
  38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
  39. Row 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 1).
  40. Clump analysis (Row 5): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 5, column 4).
  41. Clump analysis (Row 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
  42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
  43. Column 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
  45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  46. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
  47. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
  48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
  49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 3).
  50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
  51. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

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