Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — August 15, 2026

Stuck on the August 15, 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 51

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