Mornington Crescent

[formerly known as hf]

I propose a round of an the old favourite strategy game, Mornington Crescent.

Standard Finsbury rules are in play, with the marginally modified 'Dollis Hill & others loop' counter-centrifuge addition as per the 1972 Stovold update.

I will stand as chair and referee for this game, but will, however, engage in play. As per the precedent set in the 1922 international champisonships upon the non-attendance of the defending champion Reginal Harquars.

Those new to the game are advised to check out the out-of print NT Stovold's Mornington Crescent: Rules and origins. New players are welcome to pitch-in and pick it up as they go along.

All players are required to have an up-to-date 1952 London A-Z at hand. Or foot.


I will begin with a fairly easy move, the left-wise modified Rushton's Gambit.

Tottenham Court Road

[Chris Johnson]

And I counter with a Brooke-Taylor foil

Elgin Place

[BlueNine]

Ah putting me in spoon early on eh, I'll play the reverse echelon advance to...

Mile End

[sanchez]

Followed with a Finnby Transfer to...

Shepherd's Bush

[formerly known as hf]

A safe move, but it does allow me to take the oblique diagonal to;

Paddington.

[Chris Johnson]

Hummm.... Safe yes , but Beck's Schematic details some of the problems with that move, However at such an early stage I'll just say

Notting Hill Gate

[sanchez]

No choice at this point...

*shouts 'Scarborough!' and stands on a chair...*

Pimlico.

[tiddy ogg]

Adjucation please.
Pimlico? Surely that is a straddle, and not permitted while the train is in motion.

[formerly known as hf]

Objection sustained.

Although our friend did try to engage Toksvig's Protocol's Reverse Dummy and place tiddy ogg out of kilter, trumps have not yet been called.

In which case, sanchez is now in Knip, and play passes to tidy ogg, who is permitted a one-off Bakerloo Gambit.
Unless, of course, someone else plays Moreton's Convention first.

[psymann]

Ah, but given Sanchez's misdemenour, I can invoke the West-East Gate Switch, to:

New Cross Gate.

[tiddy ogg]

Well jumped in.... we'll have to take the international dimension...
Greek, no... Denmark Street.

[Chris Johnson]

I'm impressed, a neat maneuver... so as High Holborn is now invalidated I'll have to traverse the Thames again and go for

Camberwell Green

[formerly known as hf]

Seeing as that a double-back across Vauxhall Bridge would put me in danger of being boxed in at the next stop. It seems I have little option but to play it safe.

Lambeth North

[sanchez]

Returning with a double Blackwell penalty response, and included bonus for the insult to...

Kew Gardens

[psymann]

*looks shocked*

A smart block - I was going to trap you at Ealing if you'd not branched off down there...

I'm going to have to try a long-haul boat move... to:

North Greenwich