Game guide · JSYRSD
Rules, controls and help for 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. 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
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
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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 objective of a round
Read the position before choosing your next action. 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.
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.
Using the playing area
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 useful example
Read the position before choosing your 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
One detail worth checking
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
Answers about the rules and controls
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. 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. No download or player account is required.
Which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. The instructions above use these same rules.
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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, 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.
When I start, 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.
For this game, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. No download or player account is required.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. No download or player account is required.