Medium Star Battle

Medium Star Battle answer — October 27, 2026

Stuck on the October 27, 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 53

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: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 1, column 5).
  3. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 5).
  4. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 2, column 6).
  5. Mark 6 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 6).
  6. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 1, column 3).
  7. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 2, column 3).
  8. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 5, column 7).
  9. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 6, column 7).
  10. Mark 7 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 6).
  11. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 3, column 8).
  12. Clump analysis (Region 3): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 2).
  13. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 4, column 8).
  14. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 7).
  15. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 6).
  16. Column 7 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 8, column 7).
  17. Two last candidates (column 6): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 8, column 5).
  18. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 9, column 6).
  19. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 6).
  20. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 8).
  21. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 8, column 9).
  22. Clump analysis (Row 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 7, column 1).
  23. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 7, column 5).
  24. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 4).
  25. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 9).
  26. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 6, column 9).
  27. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 5, column 9).
  28. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 8, column 2).
  29. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 8, column 1).
  30. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 3).
  31. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 6, column 1).
  32. Two last candidates (row 6): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 5, column 2).
  33. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 5).
  34. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 4).
  35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 1).
  36. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 1).
  37. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  38. Column 1 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 1).
  39. Column 3 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 3, column 3).
  40. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 4).
  41. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 4).
  42. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 4).
  43. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 9).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 9).
  45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 2).
  46. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
  47. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 2).
  48. Row 1 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 8).
  49. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 8).
  50. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 9).
  51. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 8).
  52. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 9, column 9).
  53. 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.