Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — July 31, 2026

Stuck on the July 31, 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 64

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 7).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 7).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 6).
  5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 9).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 9).
  8. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 4).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 2).
  10. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 9).
  11. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 7).
  12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 7).
  13. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
  14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
  15. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 8).
  16. Row 5 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
  17. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 10, column 7).
  18. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 10, column 8).
  19. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 5).
  20. Clump analysis (Region 3): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 4, column 2).
  21. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
  22. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 4).
  23. Squeeze (rows 3-4): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 7).
  24. Undercounting: 5 regions fit in rows 6-10, eliminate 2 outside candidates (row 6, column 1).
  25. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 6, column 3).
  26. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 2).
  27. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
  28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
  29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
  30. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 5).
  31. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 4).
  32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 10).
  33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  34. Column 2 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 2).
  35. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 9).
  36. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 9).
  37. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
  38. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
  39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 6).
  40. Column 7 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 7).
  41. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 10, column 4).
  42. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 5).
  43. Row 10 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 10, column 1).
  44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 3).
  45. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  46. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
  47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
  48. Column 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 5).
  49. Two last candidates (column 3): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 4).
  50. Two last candidates (column 9): Eliminate 4 cells adjacent to both (row 1, column 8).
  51. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 8).
  52. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 9).
  53. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 9).
  54. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 6).
  55. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 3).
  56. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  57. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 1).
  58. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  59. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
  60. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 6).
  61. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 6).
  62. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 10).
  63. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 10).
  64. 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.