Game guide · 10000ZW
Rules, controls and help for River Crossing Puzzle
Read the position before choosing your next action. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
One thing to notice as you play
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Aim for this result
Check the rule below as you play. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Start here and follow along
- Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger.
- The wolf cannot stay with the goat without the farmer. The goat cannot stay with the cabbage without the farmer.
- Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes.
- Bring all four across. Use Undo or Restart to explore another sequence.
Choosing and moving on screen
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. The game area remains available above the explanation.
See the idea in action
Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A common point of confusion
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
If you are unsure
When I start, what is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. No download or player account is required.
When I start, can you show an example?
Taking the goat first leaves the wolf with the cabbage, which is safe. Taking the wolf first would leave the goat with the cabbage and is refused. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. No download or player account is required.
During a round, what rules and limits are used here?
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. A new round resets the current game.
Why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. You can start a new round from the game controls.