Game guide · ZZDXKJ
River Crossing Puzzle: what to know before playing
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. 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.
A small practice goal
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Understand the aim
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
Step by step
- 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.
Your inputs
Take a moment to check the current turn. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable.
A closer look at one example
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Check this before moving on
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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.
Questions that come up during play
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 game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. A new round resets the current game.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, 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.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
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.
When I start, why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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.
During a round, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. No download or player account is required.