The Return Of... Mornington Crescent

[monolith94]

The game may be unwinnable at this point, but I'm still going to go the distance and no lose all face with Marble Arch. I will say nothing more as to my plans, for to reveal even the slightest bit of information would jeapordize them, as opposed to you youngsters who go around proclaiming the titles of their stratagems as if no one's ever heard of them before...

[reismark]

Moorgate

The circle is now complete.

[MikeH]

I've never played this before but... well, would it be OK for me to go to New Cross Gate here?

[Az]

That's an illegal move. Damn noobs....

[MikeH]

I think you should consult your rules. English International Edition 3rd Revision. Page 28 of Vol. 2, third paragraph.

[MikeH]

First used in competition by Roger Buckhampton, May 16th 2003 at the Pack and Spanner in Ufton Nervit.

[Stefu]

While Buckhampton moves often don't give much of a precedent (that cad! Everyone knows he buys his games. There are some of us still angry about that 'fortunate' judicial call in his classic 1986 match against Ivan Kuibinev, then-up-and-coming Mark Hall and venerable Archibald Shoemaker), I believe MikeH is right in this instance - seeing that we're playing with Queen's rules and considering the alterations to the opportunity grid presented by Reismark's Moorgate, Mike's move is perfectly valid in this situation. Azazel should learn to play closer attention to the opportunity grid.

Northolt.

[*End Is Forever*]

Finsbury Park. Amateurs...

[Immortal Wombat]

Foul. Drake's already taken Finsbury Park.

[duke o' york]

Apologies for leaping into the fray at this relatively well-developed stage of proceedings, but as an unrepentant wharfhopper* then you can either forgive me and accept my boldness or strike back with chastening words and attempts to land me in squonk, but I'm here now and there's not a lot you can do about it!

As if that entry were not enough to put the wind up the most seasoned of MC observers, I have no hesitation in employing a strategem of nigh unparalleled naughtiness:
The bouncing poodlefaker!!

Originally known simply as the Baker's Reverse, the popularity of this move among libertines and bon vivants since the English Civil war has given it certain distasteful resonances and it took it's new name from association with Rear Admiral Wilson Chorlton, who had a far from glittering naval career but was well known for the width of his waistband and the height of his tales. Today the necessity of the correct wind conditions mean that it is less popular among dandies and those who play their MC off-the-cuff and without taking too long to consider every possibility (cf - A. Waters vs Dr H. Edinburgh, The Fletcher's Yard WC2 1986), it nevertheless can prove a turning point if used in the right way.

Whether or not I have used it in the right way remains to be seen, but with so little time left until rush hour and the resultant chaos on the Tube, I shall be able to avoid both the Dollis Hill Loop and the Upminster Refusal and reach the relative safety of Plaistow, declaring it home and depositing the eight tokens I picked up in passing through Leicester Square.


* Wharfhopper - originally something far ruder, this quaint phrase has entered the MC lexicon for someone who barges into a game in progress without so much a s a "by your leave" - so said because Canary Wharf is a favourite introduction of such characters.

[MikeH]

You complete git. I'm stuffed.

[Az]

Without venturing further into the petty discussion whether Buckhampton moves are allowed on weekends, I'd like to point out that duke o' york, while playing Plaistow, has exposed his afternoon ferries to long-term clock placement. Therefore, I'll play Mill Hill East and since that gives me 4 alarm bells, I'll use 2 of them, one in Euston, and the other St. John's wood, while posting the rest of them on 'secure'.

[Stefu]

You did that just to annoy me, didn't you?

Parsons Green.

[monolith94]

Azazel, you git, I already played Mill Hill East. For crying out loud, first the opportunity grid, and now this???

I'm going to try to set myself up a nice ruffle - Hackney Central.

[reismark]

Yes.

Queensway.

The portal is now open and nothing can stop me now. I can't believe nobody went Oxford Circus to block me.