Medium Star Battle

Medium Star Battle answer — September 15, 2026

Stuck on the September 15, 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 54

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 5, column 8).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 9).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 9).
  5. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 8).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 8).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 9).
  8. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 2).
  9. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 1, column 7).
  10. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 7).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 1, column 6).
  12. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 1, column 9).
  14. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 9).
  15. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 6).
  16. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 8).
  17. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
  18. Column 9 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 9).
  19. Clump analysis (Column 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 7).
  20. Clump analysis (Column 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 6).
  21. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 1).
  22. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 8).
  23. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 7).
  24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 2).
  25. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
  26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
  27. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 5).
  28. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 4).
  29. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
  30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 6).
  31. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 7).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 7).
  33. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  34. Column 4 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 4).
  35. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  36. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 2).
  37. Row 6 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 6, column 1).
  38. Column 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 6).
  39. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 7).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 8).
  41. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
  42. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 9, column 2).
  43. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
  44. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
  45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 1).
  46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
  47. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 5).
  48. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 5).
  49. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 3).
  50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
  51. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 1).
  52. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 5).
  53. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
  54. Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.

Rather solve it yourself?

This puzzle is free to play, along with a new medium Star Battle every day.

Play this puzzle More medium puzzles Sign up free
← Previous medium
All solutions
Next medium →

This step-by-step walkthrough is generated by the TryHard Puzzles solver to teach Star Battle (Two Not Touch) solving technique.