Game guide · ZBHQK
River Crossing Puzzle: rules and examples
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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. 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.
Take a closer look while playing
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
What the game asks you to do
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.
Start here and follow along
- 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.
Using the playing area
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
A closer look at one example
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Common questions
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. Use the labelled controls for your next action.