Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — August 2, 2026

Stuck on the August 2, 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 56

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 7).
  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 4).
  7. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 9).
  9. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 9).
  10. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 3).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 4).
  12. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 8).
  13. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 2).
  14. Squeeze (rows 3-4): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 5, column 6).
  15. Squeeze (columns 7-8): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 6).
  16. Undercounting: 4 regions fit in rows 6-9, eliminate 2 outside candidates (row 6, column 3).
  17. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 2).
  18. Generalized counting (columns 1-2): region star limits exclude these cells (row 5, column 1).
  19. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 3).
  20. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 4).
  21. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
  22. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 4).
  23. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 3).
  24. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
  25. Column 3 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 3).
  26. Clump analysis (Row 5): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 8).
  27. Clump analysis (Column 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 5).
  28. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 9).
  29. Two last candidates (row 5): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 4, column 7).
  30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 1).
  31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
  32. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 8).
  33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
  34. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 1).
  35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
  36. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 8).
  37. Column 1 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
  38. Column 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 8).
  39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 7).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 6).
  41. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 5).
  42. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 4).
  43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 9).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 9).
  45. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 2).
  46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 2).
  47. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
  48. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
  49. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 7).
  50. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 4).
  51. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 4).
  52. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  53. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
  54. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
  55. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
  56. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

Rather solve it yourself?

This puzzle is free to play, along with a new hard Star Battle every day.

Play this puzzle More hard puzzles Sign up free
← Previous hard
All solutions
Next hard →

This step-by-step walkthrough is generated by the TryHard Puzzles solver to teach Star Battle (Two Not Touch) solving technique.