Easy Star Battle

Easy Star Battle answer — July 21, 2026

Stuck on the July 21, 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 41

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 5, column 8).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 8).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 7).
  5. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
  6. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
  7. Column 8 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
  8. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 7).
  9. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
  10. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 6).
  11. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
  12. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
  13. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  14. Column 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
  15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 7).
  16. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
  17. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 3).
  18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 4).
  19. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
  20. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
  21. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
  22. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 1).
  23. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
  25. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
  27. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
  29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
  31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  32. Column 1 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
  34. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
  35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
  36. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 4).
  37. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
  38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
  39. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
  41. 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.