Game guide · TYMJWATER
Know the goal in River Crossing Puzzle
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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. 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.
Try a more deliberate round
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.
Your objective
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.
Making your moves
- 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.
The controls to know
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
A closer look at one example
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Keep this in mind
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Clarifying the way this game works
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.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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 controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. A new round resets the current game.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
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.
During a round, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. Use the labelled controls for your next action.