Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — April 7, 2026

Stuck on the April 7, 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 52

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

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