The Return Of... Mornington Crescent

*End Is Forever* · July 19, 2003, 10:24

I'm bored.

Unless anyone has any strong objections, for the benefit of newcomers I think we should play straightforward vanilla Mornington Crescent, with the ampersand stations in knid. Sunday restrictions also apply.

Map here: http://tube.tfl.gov.uk/content/tubem...pocket_map.gif

Russell Square

Stefu · July 19, 2003, 10:37

Waitwaitwait. You're saying that we're playing straightforward vanilla, but ampersand stations are in knid? Wasn't that only possible from the Roxbury variation onwards? Or do you perchance mean Roxbury variation or possibly the Russian Winters variation when you're talking about "straightforward vanilla"?

In any case, Ladbroke Grove.

Az · July 19, 2003, 10:48

triple Lincoln's overpass.
Oxford Circus
All moves are doubled from now on, unless you want to make sunday restrictions valid in the watermills as well.

Immortal Wombat · July 19, 2003, 11:13

Nah, *End*'s just sore that they all missed my ampersand station hoarding tactic on CGN. Completely kicked their collective asses. Holding them in knid means I won't be able to resort to that somewhat underhand tactic in this game. I believe this is a valid play option on "straightforward vanilla", whereas yes, you would indeed need the Roxbury variation or the Russian Winters variation to play that rule with "plain vanilla" as distinguished in the mid '80s.

Either way, I'm furtling, and taking Embankment as my opener.

*End Is Forever* · July 19, 2003, 11:29

That looks like the Tattershall defence...

Kings Cross St Pancras

Solly · July 19, 2003, 16:48

I think I'll pass, I never seem able to win.

Makeo · July 19, 2003, 17:34

hows it work then?

Az · July 19, 2003, 17:36

Boston Manor

Just in case.

Stefu · July 19, 2003, 17:45

What's ironic is that the playing situation, combined with ampersand stations in the knid, would have allowed Boddington's to do the rarely-seen Mornington-Crescent-in-one trick. But Azazel's Boston Manor effectively changes that.

Anyway: Watford.

Az · July 19, 2003, 17:50

no no no. Sunday restrictions are in place, remember?

How about 'To hell and back'? Becontree

Provost Harrison · July 19, 2003, 17:55

I am going to go with a 'right out in the sticks' manoevre and play Amersham...I think it is quite a unique opener, see what it opens up...

Chaunk · July 19, 2003, 19:23

Well the obvious opener was Epping, but with straightforward vanilla rules, it's got to be Upminster, in a new Jubilee line extension gambit. Lets see how that fairs against more established tactics...

Immortal Wombat · July 19, 2003, 19:25

Not quite unique Rich, it was tried by a non-seeded entry in the 1978 Asian grandslam. (source) But it was fairly successful in throwing some of the strategies of the then-grand-masters right out the window.

I'll have to resort to the ever-reliable Canary Wharf, and see how the play flows around me.

Az · July 19, 2003, 19:30

Urban Sprawl Tic-Tac-Toe: Buckhurst Hill

*End Is Forever* · July 19, 2003, 20:09

Bollocks, Canary Wharf was one of my bankers.

I'll have to play Heron Quays as it might as well be the same station.

Immortal Wombat · July 19, 2003, 20:11

South Quay.

Pincered.

*End Is Forever* · July 19, 2003, 20:54

I was trying to play a nice nostalgic game and IW goes and screws up my entire plan. Ah well, playing displaces false sentiment, and whilst defensive manoevres might cut ice on CGN, in well-run 'Poly games pest players have to be eliminated.

gopher · July 19, 2003, 22:03

Well, I was about to call Mornington Crescent, but I forgot that the Queen Anne's rules prohibits a 3 wicket move after the 1957 Latnall Match Rules Conference (the one stemming from the abuse of the Reswell triple trick). Therefore, I call New Cross . And remember gents, you can't call a Piccidally March because of the good early call on Becontree!

Provost Harrison · July 19, 2003, 22:09

Looks like I am going to have to play a Maltese ruse here. I'll go with Brixton

molly bloom · July 20, 2003, 01:07

As a lapsed Catholic (and ex-District Line commuter) I could offer the Twelve Stations 0f the District Line (east to west) as proof of having experienced near martyrdom on London Underground.

But resident south of the equator I feel a northerly gambit is due: I give you Chalk Farm, gentles.

Az · July 20, 2003, 05:01

Going round the town, "26th oak tree from the left".
South Kensington

Skanky Burns · July 20, 2003, 05:08

Using the opening made famous by the late great Sir Reginald B Cherry, I start at Ravenscourt Park. Much Nisbit harvesting potential already, not to mention 4-station shunting as per the 1967 Fenscorth ruling.

Az · July 20, 2003, 05:11

But that ruling doesn't apply to straightforward Vanilla.

Skanky Burns · July 20, 2003, 05:18

You're kidding, aren't you? That may have been pre-1990, but ever since the Roland vs Cartsworth championship match, it has been one of the standard rules for plain vanilla.