Easy Star Battle

Easy Star Battle answer — August 12, 2026

Stuck on the August 12, 2026 easy 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 45

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 8).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 8).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
  5. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 4).
  6. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 5).
  7. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 4).
  8. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 2).
  9. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 9, column 2).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 5).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 6).
  12. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  13. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 8).
  14. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  15. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 7).
  16. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
  17. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 9).
  18. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
  19. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 4).
  20. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 3).
  21. Row 2 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 1).
  22. Row 5 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
  23. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
  24. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
  25. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 5).
  26. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
  27. Region complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 3).
  28. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
  29. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
  30. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
  31. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
  33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
  34. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
  35. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 2).
  36. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 1).
  37. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
  38. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 2).
  39. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
  40. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
  41. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
  43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  45. 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.