Medium Star Battle answer — September 25, 2026
Stuck on the September 25, 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.
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Full written solution
Every deduction from the walkthrough above, in order. Each technique is explained in the Star Battle strategy guide.
- 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.
- Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 5).
- Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 8, column 9).
- Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 9).
- Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 8).
- Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 8).
- Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 9).
- Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 4, column 9).
- Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 9).
- Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 8).
- Column 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 9).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 8).
- Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 7).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
- Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 7).
- Column 8 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
- Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 6).
- Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 5).
- Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
- Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 3).
- Mark 5 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 2).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 4).
- Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 3).
- Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 5, column 6).
- Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 4).
- Mark 4 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 3).
- Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 1).
- Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
- Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 7).
- Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 7).
- Row 5 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 1).
- Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 2).
- Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 1).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
- Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
- Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 2).
- Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
- Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 6).
- Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 5).
- Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 7).
- Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
- Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 1).
- Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 5).
- Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 6).
- Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 7).
- Solved! Every row, column, and region has its two stars, none touching.
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