Game guide · MSFRIES
River Crossing Puzzle: how a round works
Check the rule below as you play. 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. 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
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.
What you need to achieve
A careful first move helps you understand the round. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
From the start of a round
- 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Follow the 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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Check this before moving on
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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.
For this game, 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.
On this page, 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.
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 game is played locally in your browser.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, why was my crossing refused?
It would leave the wolf with the goat or the goat with the cabbage without the farmer. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. The game is played locally in your browser.
For this game, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.