Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — August 7, 2026

Stuck on the August 7, 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 4).
  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. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 2).
  6. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 3).
  7. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 9).
  8. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 9).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 10): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 8, column 3).
  10. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
  11. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 10, column 4).
  12. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 10, column 3).
  13. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 10, column 2).
  14. Column 3 complete: Mark 6 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 3).
  15. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 6).
  16. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 10, column 6).
  17. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 2).
  18. Crowding (Column 2): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 2, column 1).
  19. Undercounting: 2 regions fit in cols 9-10, eliminate 4 outside candidates (row 9, column 9).
  20. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 8).
  21. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 7).
  22. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 10, column 8).
  23. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 7).
  24. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 9, column 1).
  25. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
  26. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
  27. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
  28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 10).
  29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 10).
  30. Column 8 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
  31. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 9).
  32. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 10).
  33. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
  34. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 10).
  35. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 6, column 5).
  36. Clump analysis (Column 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 6).
  37. Clump analysis (Region 1): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 4).
  38. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 1).
  39. Crowding (Region 3): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 4, column 7).
  40. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 4).
  41. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 1).
  42. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
  43. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 6).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 5).
  45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
  46. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 7).
  47. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  48. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 10).
  49. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 10).
  50. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
  51. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 7).
  52. Two last candidates (column 6): Eliminate 1 cell adjacent to both (row 2, column 5).
  53. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 2).
  54. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  55. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 4).
  56. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
  57. Column 4 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 4, column 4).
  58. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
  59. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 6).
  60. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
  61. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 6).
  62. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
  63. 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.