Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — August 13, 2026

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