Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 26, 2026

Stuck on the July 26, 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 53

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