Game guide · 2COU99BJ
How to play River Crossing Puzzle
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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.
Take a closer look while playing
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The objective of a round
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
From the start of a round
- 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.
How to interact with the game
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
An example to follow
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Watch out for this
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
Answers about the rules and controls
During a round, what is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
Can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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.
When I start, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.