Game guide · XINVENTURES
River Crossing Puzzle: a guide for your next round
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Everyone starts on the near bank. The farmer rows and can take at most one passenger. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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
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. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Aim for this result
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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 playing sequence
- 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.
Keyboard and screen controls
The board gives you the information needed for the next 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.
A useful example
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. 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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Notice this detail
Check the rule below as you play. The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle.
A few questions answered
When I start, 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.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
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.
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The controls work with mouse or touch.
For this game, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, how many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.