Game guide · CH12372
Getting started with River Crossing Puzzle
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
Something to practise
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
What you are aiming for
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A walkthrough of the rules
- 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
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Learn from a sample situation
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Keep this in mind
Take a moment to check the current turn. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Clarifying the way this game works
On this page, what is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Keep the current game state in view while applying this 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, 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 instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
Why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. No download or player account is required.