Medium Star Battle

Medium Star Battle answer — August 16, 2026

Stuck on the August 16, 2026 medium 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 46

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