Mornington Crescent

Posted by: Tam on 26 April 2008

In memorial to Humph, how about round of Mornington Crescent.

I realise the great game can be a little intimidating to newcomers, so might I suggest we start out with The Standard Deviation which, according to The Little Book of Mornington Crescent, 2000 is:

quote:

perhaps the purest form of the game. The nib holder may play advantage after a looped move, which means it's probably best to avoid Fairlop altogether.


I would also suggest that, given this is a forum, and turns etc. are a little more complicated to manage, we play with Poincaré's variation, which broadly means the order of play is unimportant, and not every player has to play in each round (though obviously not player is permitted to have two successive turns - The so called Rushton Limit)

So, if there are any taker I'll start out with:


Elephant and Castle
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Christopher_M
Er, Baker Street
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Steve S1
Green Park
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Derek Wright
Cockfosters
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by felix
That's sneaky Derek. I thought Poincaré's variation specifically requires stations not closed and simply connected.

Hmmm, in which case:

Monument.
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Chillkram
Turnham Green.
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Guido Fawkes
Portman Road - only allowable under revised Poincare, I know but I think it's in context.
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Christopher_M
Commendable Rotf, if I may say so. In which case, I'll venture Stratford.
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Chris Kelly
Dollis Hill
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Huwge
Oh no, not the dreaded loop. Oh well

Dollis Hill
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Jim Lawson
Correct me if I'm wrong. Not familiar with Poincare but will put forth Stamford Brook.
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Lawson:
Correct me if I'm wrong.


You MIGHT want to reconsider that move.

Even without Poincaré - risky so close to Acton Town. All sites on doubles, unless taken widdershins, run the risk that a confident opponent will redouble - forcing a recursive loop on the diagonal.

As the game IS under Poincaré - possibly better to leave it to those expert in Maltese variations.

With that in mind - I don't think I've seen Cockfosters played so early in a serious game.
"Fortune favours the bold."

It strikes me you MAY have meant Tufnell Park (or, obviously, the safer but less expansive, Archway).
Posted on: 26 April 2008 by Jim Lawson
Point taken, Adam, though I see it is a risk that will pay off later. Therefore, I stand by my original choice.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by MainMonkeyBusiness
Given acceptance of Stamford Brook, I'll go with Clapham South
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Christopher_M
Mr Chairman, if I may interrupt for a moment, in a "change to advertised schedules" there's to be a classic recording of 'Clue' at 12.04pm today Sunday on Radio Four. And there will be a tribute to Humph by Ken Clark on Wednesday but I didn't catch the time.

Now on with the game, MainMonkeyBusiness says Clapham South, therefore..umm...Pimlico
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Chillkram
Hmmm, I think you may come to regret that move. It's all about the long game in my opinion, such an early invocation of the Pimlico manoevre could backfire on you very shortly.

I think the game is now ready for Swiss Cottage (as it's a Sunday).
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Tam
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
I think the game is now ready for Swiss Cottage (as it's a Sunday).


Careful. Even on a Sunday that's a hair's breadth from being off-side.


Goodge Street.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Jim Lawson
Well played, Tam!
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Chillkram
Yes, well played Tam, that was clever, you clearly spotted what I was up to and blocked me pretty emphatically. I think the rest of us are going to have to up our game here or it'll be over pretty soon.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Tam
To be honest, it's a bit of a cliché. But then, like most classics, there's a reason for that. Winker
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by Tam:
To be honest, it's a bit of a cliché.


You sell yourself short.

Goodge Street IS a cliché but, under Poincaré, it is also verging on genius.

I am assuming you played it "with Spanish". Otherwise - a cliché.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Chris Kelly
I'm not going to be deflected by all this gamesmanship. Mile End.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Jim Lawson
Bow Road
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Kelly:
Mile End.


Looping may be fun - but it isn't clever.

Thank you, Mr Lawson, for avoiding the obvious.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Chris Kelly
quote:
Looping may be fun - but it isn't clever.


Perhaps I was delected after all. My unreserved apology to all - an easy error for a beginner such as I.
Posted on: 27 April 2008 by Chris Kelly
Deflected even.