Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — October 3, 2026

Stuck on the October 3, 2026 hard 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 61

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 3).
  3. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 5, column 3).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 4).
  5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 4, column 1).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 5, column 1).
  8. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 2, column 2).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 8).
  10. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 8).
  11. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 2, column 3).
  12. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 2).
  13. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 1).
  14. Row 5 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 5, column 6).
  15. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 1).
  16. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 1).
  17. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 3, column 3).
  18. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  19. Row 3 complete: Mark 4 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 5).
  20. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 2).
  21. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 3).
  22. Blocking rule: This position would block too many candidates (row 7, column 9).
  23. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 6).
  24. Clump analysis (Row 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 6).
  25. Clump analysis (Row 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 4).
  26. Clump analysis (Region 7): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 9, column 8).
  27. Crowding (Column 5): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 8, column 6).
  28. Squeeze (columns 4-5): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 5).
  29. Squeeze (columns 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 4, column 7).
  30. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 4, column 6).
  31. Squeeze (columns 4-5): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 6, column 6).
  32. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
  33. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 6, column 8).
  34. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 7).
  35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 9).
  36. Clump analysis (Region 9): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 1).
  37. Squeeze (columns 5-6): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 8, column 7).
  38. Two last candidates (column 7): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 2, column 6).
  39. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
  40. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 5).
  41. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 4, column 8).
  42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 9).
  43. Region completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 7).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 7).
  45. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 9).
  46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  47. Row 2 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 2, column 5).
  48. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 5).
  49. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 4).
  50. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 3).
  51. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
  52. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 3).
  53. Row 9 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  54. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 1).
  55. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 2).
  56. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 3).
  57. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  58. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
  59. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 8).
  60. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 9).
  61. 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.