Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 20, 2026

Stuck on the July 20, 2026 hard Star Battle (also called Two Not Touch)? Here's the complete step-by-step solution to the 10×10 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 65

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 1).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 2).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 1).
  5. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 1).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 2).
  8. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 3).
  9. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 7).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 7).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 8).
  12. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
  13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 5).
  14. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 5).
  15. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 7).
  16. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 3).
  17. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 1).
  18. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 2).
  19. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
  20. Clump analysis (Column 1): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 8, column 2).
  21. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
  22. Column 2 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 2).
  23. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 3).
  24. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 4).
  25. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
  26. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
  27. Row 8 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 6).
  28. Clump analysis (Row 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 7).
  29. Clump analysis (Row 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 10, column 7).
  30. Crowding (Region 7): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 2, column 4).
  31. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 3).
  32. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 4).
  33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
  34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  35. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
  36. Row 3 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 6).
  37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 6).
  38. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 5).
  39. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 10).
  40. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 1).
  41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  42. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 10, column 1).
  43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 10).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 10).
  45. Column 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
  46. Clump analysis (Row 1): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 2, column 6).
  47. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  48. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 8).
  49. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
  50. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 10).
  51. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 5).
  52. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
  53. Row 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 8).
  54. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 5).
  55. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
  56. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
  57. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
  58. Row 10 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 10, column 10).
  59. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
  60. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
  61. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 9).
  62. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 10).
  63. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 9).
  64. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 10).
  65. 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.