Game guide · BDPSFJS
Understand the basics of 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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
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.
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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.
Input guidance
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable.
Try this example
The board gives you the information needed for the next 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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A mistake to avoid
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A few questions answered
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
When I start, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. The game is played locally in your browser.
When I start, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. The game is played locally in your browser.