Game guide · MAIKEWU
Rules, controls and help for River Crossing Puzzle
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. 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.
Give this approach a try
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
What you need to achieve
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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
How to proceed
- 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.
Making selections and moves
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Put the rules into context
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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 the goal in mind before your next move.
A useful caution
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
Answers about the rules and controls
For this game, 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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
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.
On this page, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. A new round resets the current game.