Easy Star Battle

Easy Star Battle answer — September 21, 2026

Stuck on the September 21, 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 45

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 7, column 7).
  3. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 8).
  4. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 7).
  5. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 9).
  6. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 8).
  7. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 7).
  8. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
  9. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
  10. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 5).
  11. Row 7 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 7, column 1).
  12. Row 9 complete: Mark 5 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  13. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 4).
  14. Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 3).
  15. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 4).
  16. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  17. Column 4 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 4).
  18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 8).
  19. Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 7).
  20. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 6).
  21. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  22. Row 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
  23. Column 6 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 6).
  24. Column 8 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
  25. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 4, column 2).
  26. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 1).
  27. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
  28. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 3).
  29. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
  30. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 3).
  31. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 2).
  33. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  34. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
  35. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 1).
  36. Three candidates in a column: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 2, column 5).
  37. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 5).
  38. Row 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 1).
  40. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 5).
  41. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 7).
  42. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
  43. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  44. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
  45. 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 easy Star Battle every day.

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

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