Game guide · MMMGZY
How to play 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. 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.
The classic single wolf–goat–cabbage puzzle, with one-passenger boat and seven-crossing optimal solution. No claim of a large level collection.
Practice beyond the first move
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Your goal
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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.
The order of play
- 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
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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.
Learn from a sample situation
The board gives you the information needed for the 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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
An important reminder
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
A few questions answered
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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.
When I start, 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. A new round resets the current game.
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.
During a round, can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The game is played locally in your browser.
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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. The instructions above use these same rules.
