Game guide · ITCGT
River Crossing Puzzle: from controls to your first round
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. 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.
Take a closer look while playing
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.
The purpose of your moves
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. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Making your moves
- 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
Take a moment to check the current turn. Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Learn from a sample situation
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.
One detail worth checking
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A few questions answered
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. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Choose Cross alone, Take Wolf, Take Goat or Take Cabbage. Buttons for passengers on the other bank are unavailable. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.
When I start, 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.
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. No download or player account is required.
For this game, 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 worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The instructions above use these same rules.
During a round, 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.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, can I carry two passengers?
No. The boat holds the farmer and at most one passenger. No download or player account is required.
How many crossings are needed?
The shortest solution uses seven crossings, including return trips. The game is played locally in your browser.
