Hard Star Battle

Hard Star Battle answer — November 4, 2026

Stuck on the November 4, 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 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: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 2, column 8).
  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 8, column 6).
  4. Clump analysis (Region 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 5, column 5).
  5. Clump analysis (Region 6): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 2).
  6. Clump analysis (Region 8): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 6, column 6).
  7. Undercounting: 4 regions fit in rows 1-4, eliminate 6 outside candidates (row 3, column 6).
  8. Clump analysis (Row 4): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 3, column 1).
  9. Clump analysis (Region 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 8, column 4).
  10. Blocking rule: a star here would touch every other open cell in its region, leaving no room for the region's second star (row 6, column 5).
  11. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 5, column 6).
  12. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 4, column 5).
  13. Two-option rule: Cell adjacent to both candidates (row 6, column 4).
  14. Clump analysis (Row 4): each clump must supply its full share of stars (row 4, column 4).
  15. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 3, column 3).
  16. Three candidates in a row: Middle cell can't hold a star (row 3, column 8).
  17. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 3, column 7).
  18. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 6).
  19. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 3, column 9).
  20. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 9).
  21. Two last candidates (row 5): Eliminate 2 cells adjacent to both (row 6, column 8).
  22. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 6, column 1).
  23. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 1).
  24. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 6, column 3).
  25. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 3).
  26. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 7, column 5).
  27. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 6).
  28. Three candidates with two adjacent: Isolated candidate must hold a star (row 7, column 7).
  29. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 7, column 8).
  30. Row 7 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 7, column 9).
  31. Column 7 complete: Mark 2 remaining cells as X (row 1, column 7).
  32. Clump analysis (Row 2): candidate clumps can only just supply the remaining stars (row 1, column 2).
  33. Crowding (Row 8): a star here would leave too little room for its 2 remaining stars (row 9, column 2).
  34. Squeeze (columns 2-3): the band's clumps can only just fit its stars (row 2, column 4).
  35. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 4, column 2).
  36. Region complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 2, column 3).
  37. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 4).
  38. Mark 3 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 8, column 3).
  39. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 9, column 6).
  40. Row 9 complete: Mark 3 remaining cells as X (row 9, column 1).
  41. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 1, column 3).
  42. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 2, column 2).
  43. Row completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 2, column 1).
  44. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 1).
  45. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 2, column 5).
  46. Mark 2 cells adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 5).
  47. Column 1 complete: Mark 1 remaining cell as X (row 8, column 1).
  48. Region completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 2).
  49. Row completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 8, column 9).
  50. Column completion: 2 stars needed, 2 candidates (row 1, column 8).
  51. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 1, column 9).
  52. Column completion: 1 star needed, 1 candidate (row 5, column 8).
  53. Mark 1 cell adjacent to stars as X (row 5, column 9).
  54. 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.