Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 17, 2026

Stuck on the July 17, 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. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 4).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 2).
  4. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 3).
  5. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 2).
  6. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 3).
  7. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 2).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 3).
  9. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
  10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 5).
  11. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 6).
  12. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 5).
  13. Star claim: Region 6 must place a star in column 4; cells touching all its options are eliminated (row 7, column 5).
  14. Crowding (Row 2): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 1, column 8).
  15. Squeeze (rows 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 8).
  16. Squeeze (rows 1-2): each clump in the band must supply its full share of stars (row 2, column 9).
  17. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  18. Squeeze (rows 4-5): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 6).
  19. Squeeze (rows 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 7, column 4).
  20. Clump analysis (Row 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 8).
  21. Clump analysis (Row 7): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 7, column 1).
  22. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  23. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  24. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
  25. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 6).
  26. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
  27. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
  28. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 7).
  29. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
  30. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  31. Row 3 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 1).
  32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 1).
  33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 1).
  34. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 5).
  35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  36. Column 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
  38. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 2).
  39. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
  41. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 8).
  42. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 7).
  43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
  44. Column 7 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 7).
  45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
  46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
  47. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 8).
  48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
  50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
  51. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

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