Game guide · ZJJ-HC
Read before your next round of River Crossing Puzzle
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. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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.
Build familiarity through play
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. 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.
Your goal
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.
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
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. 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.
See how the rules apply
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
Watch out for this
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Read these answers for extra help
What is the aim of River Crossing Puzzle?
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. The worked example offers another way to follow the 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. 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. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
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. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, 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.
Can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. No download or player account is required.
During a round, 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.
For this game, 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.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. You can start a new round from the game controls.