# A friendly game of Mornington Crescent **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [December 29, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179 "2020-12-29T14:45:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/41 "2021-02-26T15:44:29Z")
Placement on a Metropolitan line terminus? That’s no more a defensive move, than when Stanwicke did so at the Championship in Bucharest back in '68 - and we know how THAT ended. I’ll use my first terminus option and switch to **Aldgate** ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/42 "2021-02-26T15:50:54Z")
_Someone_ obviously has forgotten that the row between Stanwick and Wharncliffe ended in fisticuffs. I’ll not repeat _that_ mistake. **North Ealing** ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/43 "2021-02-26T17:31:40Z")
Alright then, with muggins afoot I’ll play **Walthamstow Queen’s Road** , laying in two against inclement weather. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/44 "2021-03-01T17:15:57Z")
Interesting. You almost had me there, but if you recall Cranbrook’s ruling at the 1964 Bangkok regionals, your move will allow me to call: **South Tottenham** ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/45 "2021-03-01T21:25:21Z")
Goodness, I’m running low on available moves. I’ll take a free walk: **Seven Sisters** ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/46 "2021-03-02T11:10:33Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Alright then, with muggins afoot I’ll play **Walthamstow Queen’s Road** , laying in two against inclement weather. I love the direction you’re taking this game. I love the way you think. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/47 "2021-03-02T11:26:38Z")
Well, I don’t! This is risky, for reasons which should be obvious to all but the greenest campaigner, but needs must when the devil drives: **Earls Court** @Dr.Winston_OBoogie, please don’t feel put off by @pjd stealing your excellent move - dip your toe in, the water’s fine! ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/48 "2021-03-02T13:40:39Z")
South Tottenham → Seven Sisters → Earls Court ?! You wouldn’t be contemplating MacMillan’s Piccadilly Gambit, would you? Cheeky! I know playing we’re under Heathrow Convention rules but that would still be a crowning achievement in this day and age. Let’s nip that in the bud - **Barkingside** (outbound) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/49 "2021-03-02T13:57:26Z")
Thank you for the invitation, but I’ll pass. I might have gleaned a very basic understanding of the rules, but I don’t want to ruin this fine competition with a poor move. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/50 "2021-03-02T14:23:19Z")
You’re not going to get me with your obvious trap. Baldwin tried the exact same thing against Rideau in the famous Blitz Battle of 1942. I think the easy way out would be skip a line over to **Wood Street** ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/51 "2021-03-02T15:24:13Z")
I was going over the Blitz Battle of '42 just the other day in Montgomery’s excellent short treatise on opening moves during reduced operating hours. It was remarkable how few truly new openings have been developed in the post-war years, especially with the introduction of the Victoria and Jubilee lines. That should have led to some complex moves involving the cross over at Green Park with Saturday special carriages. But no one has felt the need to develop those, probably because of the emphasis on trunk line travel as a means to support end game play. But I digress. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/52 "2021-03-02T17:07:13Z")
In play is Wood Street. The choice of the overground line was…shall we say, _curious_. Either this was an outright blunder or the most devious trap I’ve ever seen. And I’m thinking blunder. Sorry to do this, but if I don’t press the advantage now I’ll likely never have the chance again. **Liverpool Street**! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/53 "2021-03-02T17:13:49Z")
Ah ha! You guessed incorrectly. Remember Woolton in Cambridge? That’s right. We’re in the endgame now. **Euston Square** ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/54 "2021-03-02T18:20:42Z")
Ah, but as of today we’re exactly 1 month from Good Friday; the Holiday Rules are in effect. **Kew Gardens** and I claim rounders. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/55 "2021-03-02T18:34:54Z")
Thank you for the reminder about Holiday Rules going into effect. You have only yourself to blame when I call a Reverse: **Euston Square** (and don’t even think about calling a Double Reverse back to Kew Gardens. Remember March 2nd is not only a Tuesday but is also an _even number_). Rounders now nullified. Hah! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/56 "2021-03-02T18:39:34Z")
A reversal while Holiday Rules are in effect? Are you mad? Welp, forget what I said about endgame. **Preston Road** Now before anyone calls foul, I have to remind you about Granville (1952 - not 1967). ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/57 "2021-03-02T19:49:52Z")
I’m sorry, but I am calling foul and request an Appeal for Adjudication. The situation is clearly similar, but not the same as Brussels in 1952. Yes, Granville invoked Holiday Rules when following up on Norton’s Reverse and in that instance was able to call Preston Road, as the play occurred on June 4th. He was able to do so only because in 1952 the New International Rules at that time still recognized American Rules year-round, and because June 4th was exactly one month prior to American Independence Day, the move was considered valid. However, The New International Rules were amended in 2002, for unsanctioned international matches. Since this is unsanctioned international match, subparagraph B. (5) is applicable, which makes a distinction between ‘Fixed Holiday Rules’ and ‘Floating Holiday Rules’, Good Friday appears on the list of “floating holidays” because it falls on a different day each year. In short, it was not a legal move. . ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/58 "2021-03-02T19:59:51Z")
Dang it. I had forgotten about the the fixed versus floating distinction. My original gambit is still out the window. Under Halifax, I should be able to play: **Southfields** ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/59 "2021-03-02T20:00:15Z")
This is all way above my head, I’m afraid. I’ll pass and await a ruling from someone more qualified. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179/60 "2021-03-02T20:07:29Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Dang it. I had forgotten about the the fixed versus floating distinction. My original gambit is still out the window. Under Halifax, I should be able to play: > > **Southfields** Well, sure, you CAN do this, but I’ll be damned if I can understand WHY. I’m playing Clapham Junction and relishing my inevitable victory. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friendly-game-of-mornington-crescent/929179.md?page=4)