Game guide · SYNTAXCODER
The River Crossing Puzzle playbook
Read the position before choosing your next 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. 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.
Something to practise
Take a moment to check the current turn. Cross alone or take someone on the same bank as the farmer. Unsafe crossings are rejected before the state changes. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The goal to keep in mind
Carry the wolf, goat and cabbage across the river without leaving an unsafe pair unattended. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The steps to 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.
Your inputs
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
An example to follow
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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 this in mind
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.
Read these answers for extra help
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. 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The farmer sometimes must bring a passenger back. Only moving forward is not enough to solve the puzzle. The controls work with mouse or touch.
During a round, 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. No download or player account is required.
How many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The game is played locally in your browser.
Can the farmer travel alone?
Yes. Cross alone moves only the farmer and boat to the opposite bank. A new round resets the current 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.
During a round, 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. Use the labelled controls for your next action.