Game guide · SZXIEZILOU
An introduction to playing River Crossing Puzzle
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. 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 board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
The goal to keep in mind
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.
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.
How your actions work
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.
Try this 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
One detail worth checking
Take a moment to check the current turn. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Clarifying the way this game works
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. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, 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.
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.
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.
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.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
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.
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.
On this page, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. No download or player account is required.
