Easy Star Battle

Easy Star Battle answer — January 29, 2026

Stuck on the January 29, 2026 easy 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 44

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 5, column 3).
  3. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 2).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
  5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 4).
  6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
  7. Row 5 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 6).
  8. 3-cell region rule: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 3).
  9. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 2).
  10. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  11. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
  12. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  13. Row 3 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 6).
  14. Column 2 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
  15. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
  16. 3-cell region rule: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 6, column 8).
  17. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 7).
  18. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
  19. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 9).
  20. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  21. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 8).
  22. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
  23. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 6).
  24. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  25. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 1).
  26. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
  27. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 4, column 7).
  28. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 8, column 5).
  29. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 5).
  30. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
  31. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
  32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
  33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
  34. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 7).
  35. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  36. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  37. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 6).
  38. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 1).
  39. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 3).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  41. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
  42. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
  43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
  44. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

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This step-by-step walkthrough is generated by the TryHard Puzzles solver to teach Star Battle (Two Not Touch) solving technique.