Sorry, I saw this the other day but wasn’t in a position to double-check my copy of the rules, as they’re saved on my laptop. Having done so, I see my first instinct was correct - namely, that while it is not in fact possible to play Mornington Crescent without claiming victory (Palmerston’s Rule was discredited in 1936 on the discovery of his involvement with some rather unsavoury betting rings), the Prince of Cambridge’s exception is only playable in leap years. So I’m afraid your play was invalid - missed it by that much!
That being the case, I shall continue with Leicester Square, closing all the down escalators.
Wait, what? Back to Dollis Hill, presumably this time it’s inbound, no? Interesting. I believe that means Wilson’s gambit is active, at least for the next 3 turns. We could take this a few ways, but how about
Ooh, a rare chance to invoke Curran’s amendment to rule VII(b) (“If no move is played for more than 16 calendar days, the previous player may collect rent on all escalators west of Earl’s Court, and play again.”).
…depends what you mean by proper… it’s certainly legal (i think - there are several rules
in play here and i can’t be bothered to check them all).
Actually, it’s not a bad move, so i’ll play it and we’ll see what develops :- Shadwell
That is a very bold play, not least because it closes off the eastern side of the map for the next few turns. Now - note that Shadwell has a walking connection. That will allow me to take Park Royal, and if I play my cards right, under Lord Gilbert Timothy George Lariston Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound’s ruling in the 1979 friendly held in Fort William, I might be able to claim Mornington Crescent is five rounds.
That makes Victoria irresistable to me, at least for now, since I understand that the next edition will make train stations far too susceptible to platforming, an understandable hypercorrection to the overpowered and beardy Elmer Gambit.
You see how on the tube map Mornington Crescent slots neatly into the western branch of the Northern line? In the REAL WORLD, the station is situated on the eastern-most tracks, which means we’re living in a mirror world. Therefore, west is east and east is west. Euston is due south in either case, so I’m due there.
There are still two days left in the month of February, so presumably (unabridged) American rules are still playable. Seeing as how this round is intended to be a ‘friendly’ game, I trust no one will object if I stop at Baker Street
Oh yes, American rules are in force until noon Sunday local time, per Wharncliffe. I trust we are allowing Wharncliffe. That has been standard since '68.