Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 25, 2026

Stuck on the July 25, 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 62

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 8).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 9).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 9).
  5. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 8).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 8).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 9).
  8. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 8).
  9. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 7).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 8).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 7).
  12. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
  13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 7).
  14. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 9).
  15. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 8).
  16. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
  17. Two last candidates (column 8): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 6, column 9).
  18. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 9).
  19. Star claim: Region 3 must place a star in row 1; cells touching all its options are eliminated (row 2, column 6).
  20. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
  21. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 5).
  22. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 6).
  23. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
  24. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 3).
  25. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 3).
  26. Squeeze (rows 3-4): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 5, column 3).
  27. Undercounting: 3 regions fit in cols 7-9, eliminate 1 outside candidates (row 1, column 7).
  28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 6).
  29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 5).
  30. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 3).
  31. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
  32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
  33. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 4).
  34. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
  35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  36. Column 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 6).
  37. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 1).
  38. Clump analysis (Row 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 2).
  39. Clump analysis (Column 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 4).
  40. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 4).
  41. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
  42. Column 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 4).
  43. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 8).
  44. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 7).
  45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
  46. Region complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 9).
  47. Column 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 7).
  48. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 8).
  49. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 1).
  50. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 2).
  51. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  52. Row 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 5).
  53. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
  54. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
  55. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
  56. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
  57. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
  58. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
  59. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
  60. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
  61. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
  62. 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.