Game guide · SBBEN
River Crossing Puzzle: what to know before playing
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. 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.
Practice with a purpose
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
How a round unfolds
- 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.
The controls to know
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
An example to follow
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
Keep this in mind
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
Common questions
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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. A new round resets the current 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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
Why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
During a round, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.