Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — August 5, 2026

Stuck on the August 5, 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 63

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 9, column 7).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 9).
  4. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 10).
  5. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 10).
  6. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  7. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 9).
  8. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 5).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 10).
  10. Undercounting: 3 regions fit in cols 8-10, eliminate 6 outside candidates (row 1, column 8).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 7).
  12. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 6).
  13. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 7).
  14. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  15. Row 3 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 1).
  16. Column 7 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 7).
  17. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 6).
  18. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
  19. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 6).
  20. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
  21. Column 6 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 6).
  22. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
  23. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 2).
  24. Clump analysis (Column 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 9).
  25. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 1).
  26. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 10, column 1).
  27. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 4).
  28. Star claim: Region 3 must place a star in row 4; cells touching all its options are eliminated (row 5, column 3).
  29. Squeeze (rows 4-5): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 4, column 2).
  30. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 4).
  31. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 3).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
  33. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 5, column 5).
  34. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 5).
  35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 5).
  36. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
  37. Row 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 1).
  38. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
  39. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  40. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 1).
  41. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  42. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 2).
  43. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 3).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
  45. Row 6 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 10).
  46. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 2).
  47. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
  48. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  49. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 2).
  50. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
  51. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 1).
  52. Row 9 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 8).
  53. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 8, column 8).
  54. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
  55. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 10).
  56. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 10).
  57. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
  58. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
  59. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 9).
  60. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 10).
  61. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 9).
  62. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 10).
  63. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

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