Game guide · HBYDMS
Know the goal in 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. 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.
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
What the game asks you to do
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The playing sequence
- 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
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Learn from a sample situation
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.
Keep this in mind
Check the rule below as you play. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
Questions about this game
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. A new round resets the current game.
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. 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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
During a round, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. No download or player account is required.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, 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.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
