Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 21, 2026

Stuck on the July 21, 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 58

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 3, column 6).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 3, column 7).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 6).
  5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 8).
  7. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 6).
  9. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 7).
  10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 3).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 3).
  12. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 10).
  13. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 9).
  14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 6).
  15. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  16. Column 6 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 6).
  17. Clump analysis (Column 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 4).
  18. Undercounting: 4 regions fit in rows 1-4, eliminate 6 outside candidates (row 3, column 2).
  19. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 8).
  20. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 8).
  21. Clump analysis (Column 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 10).
  22. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 9).
  23. Clump analysis (Column 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 10).
  24. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 7).
  25. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
  26. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 7).
  27. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 5).
  28. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
  29. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 1).
  30. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 10).
  31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
  34. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 9).
  35. Row 8 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 1).
  36. Row 10 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 10, column 1).
  37. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 5).
  38. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
  39. Row 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 7).
  40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
  41. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 2).
  42. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 1).
  43. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 3).
  44. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 9, column 2).
  45. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 9, column 1).
  46. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 3).
  47. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 1).
  48. Column 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  49. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 4).
  50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  51. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 10).
  52. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 10).
  53. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 2).
  54. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  55. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
  56. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 2).
  57. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
  58. 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.