Game guide · XUEWEIBA
River Crossing Puzzle: how a round works
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
Bring this focus to a round
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The goal to keep in mind
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Work through the instructions
- 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.
Controls
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
A common point of confusion
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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. 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
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.
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.
For this game, 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. A new round resets the current game.
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.
On this page, 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.
When I start, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
