Printable object-placement puzzles with simple rules and satisfying logic.
Puzzle explainer
What Is Star Battle?
Star Battle is a logic puzzle about placing stars into a grid so that every row, every column, and every outlined region contains the same number of stars.
The twist is that stars may not touch each other, not even diagonally. That single restriction gives the puzzle its clean, elegant feel.
On KrazyDad, the same family of puzzles also appears as Two Not Touch, the name used for Jim Bumgardner's New York Times version.
Core facts
- Puzzle type: object-placement logic puzzle.
- Alternate name on KrazyDad and in The New York Times: Two Not Touch.
- Common formats on KrazyDad: 1-Star 8x8, 2-Star 10x10, and 3-Star 14x14.
- Best for solvers who like spatial deduction and clean rules.
How the rules work
A Star Battle puzzle begins with a grid divided into bold regions. Your job is to place the required number of stars into the grid so that each row, column, and region contains that same number of stars.
Stars cannot share an edge or a corner. Because of that, every star immediately eliminates surrounding cells and helps shape the rest of the solve.
Why people like Star Battle
- The rules are short and easy to remember.
- The puzzle feels visual and spatial rather than arithmetic-heavy.
- Each placement affects nearby rows, columns, regions, and adjacency all at once.
- The difficulty can scale from approachable 1-Star puzzles to serious multi-star challenges.
Where Star Battle appears on KrazyDad
Printable Star Battle collections
Browse printable 1-Star, 2-Star, and 3-Star books in PDF form.
Two Not Touch resources
See the New York Times variant, tutorials, and related books.
How to solve Star Battle
Read a practical starter guide for spotting forced stars and blocked cells.
Related printable collections
The New York Times variant of Star Battle, with extra resources and printable books.
Compact number-placement puzzles with easy rules that scale up in difficulty.