Easy Star Battle

Easy Star Battle answer — August 19, 2026

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