# Genealogical Version of Mornington Crescent **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 8, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973 "2010-11-08T23:39:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/41 "2010-11-10T16:15:04Z")
Oh, my so many choices. Do I continue the Imperial Extension, take the offered Generational Descent, or try to pinch off Tom’s Oldenburg Opening? Decisions, decisions, decisions. I’m reminded of Beilbo at the Innsbruk Invitational in '65, who faced a similar choice. Tactically, however, I believe that **Euphemia of Sweden** allows me to preserve more options as play develops. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/42 "2010-11-10T18:14:45Z")
I assume the Etichonid fiction is rejected, but will still point out the obvious: Despite mention of a dreaded Habsburg Loop, that dynasty has not yet been played, the Charleses I’s of Austria and Hungary having respective Lorraine and Capet Y-chromosomes. _I_ certainly won’t break the Habsburgs open (but I hope I’m online to scarf up profit when it happens! 😛 ) Meanwhile the Bjelbo pivot play has just been attempted: > [@paperbackwriter](#): > > Tactically, however, I believe that **Euphemia of Sweden** allows me to preserve more options as play develops. I can see several of you plotting a massive Scandinavian sacrifice. I’m not sure how to blunt this attack, so will just take a quick profit: **Margaret (Maid of Norway) Queen of Scots** (I _think_ the rules about non-Regents are vague enough to allow her after Euphemia.) This play allows me to collect _all_ the green tokens _and_ invalidate the Carlist pretenders. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/43 "2010-11-10T19:03:29Z")
Granted we never settled the whole Lancashire/Greenwich question I raised above, but unless I assume that the concubinage rules of the former are not invalidating the prevention of closing off the several claimants, I believe that **Håkon III of Norway** is my only not-illegal play that has not yet been rendered unavailable. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/44 "2010-11-10T19:11:13Z")
I see a dire need to block off a flibbetywidget play by **paperbackwriter** - hopefully someone will see the opportunities if I play **Amadeo I of Spain** ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/45 "2010-11-10T19:15:05Z")
I believe I can complete the containment with **Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod** Well spotted! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/46 "2010-11-10T19:22:20Z")
> [@Precambrianmollusc](#): > > I completly misread the thread title and nearly tore a neck muscle with a double take. I did too. I was wondering if the phrase “mornington crescent” wasn’t some very subtle innuendo. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/47 "2010-11-10T19:25:18Z")
Since I must depart for the time, and in such a poor position, I believe I have no alternative but to park my remaining tokens in the House of Romanov to conserve what little remains. **Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia** at least allows me to retain the Oldenbergs. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/48 "2010-11-10T19:46:30Z")
**Temujin**. That should open up the Mongols for play, especially since the Q’in Dynasties are currently foreclosed. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/49 "2010-11-10T19:47:52Z")
Ah, yes, I gave you that opening with Nevsky, didn’t I? ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/50 "2010-11-10T20:13:44Z")
Aha! Now that a Horde leader has been played, thanks to Baator’s Inverted Trapeze, I can play **Alfred the Great** and not lose all my wickets. I think the endgame is closer than anyone suspects. Or at least the beginning of the endgame… ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/51 "2010-11-11T07:10:47Z")
It seems wevet’s move to Alfred has left players stumped. I assume this is due to genealogical confusion, with _neither_ of Alfred’s grandmothers clearly identifiable. But I think a Frankish connection is firm enough to risk: **Pippin III `the Short’** _If_ this play is accepted then I get 2 red tokens, sole control of the Merovingian Dynasty, and can announce “Æthelred in nine moves.” But that’s a big _if_ (Who’s refereeing this game, anyway?) ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/52 "2010-11-11T18:03:27Z")
That’s just the thing, though, isn’t it? We never established a referee or even, and I admit to sounding like a stuck phonograph at this point, the specific rules. _I_ certainly wouldn’t accept such a move, and not just because your threatened Carolingian Cross-Hatch puts my position in the Oldenburgs under pressure. Greenwich Rule 7b, as you know, explicitly requires dynastical servants have an identifiable marital relationship to a primary dynast, and the entire Pippinids show no such thing. Stating all that, however, does nothing to extricate my position from my dilemma. I should have pushed the issue more forcefully earlier. As I did not I must accept the consequences. On the other hand, accepting the legality of such a move allows me to use Schwartzchild’s Arnulfing Cut-Out and wrest the Meroviginians back into Quisp. **Saint Arnulf of Metz**. Hoist that on your petard.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/53 "2010-11-11T18:06:57Z")
Good heavens, things have moved on! What to do, what to do? **septimus** ’ play of **Margaret, Queen of Scots** briefly opened up the chance for a Queens Finesse, but that opportunity is long gone. I think it’s time to take a more forceful approach. **Charlemagne**. ---
**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:** [November 11, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/54 "2010-11-11T18:32:33Z")
Wow, I can’t believe that this thread is my first exposure to this game! As an MC veteran, I feel I ought to be able to participate, but naturally most of the subtleties will probably pass me by. However, I will try a conservative play with **William III** (of England). ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/55 "2010-11-11T18:56:42Z")
Interesting choice. Looking forward to seeing if **paperbackwriter** can make it back to the Continent without losing a tempo. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/56 "2010-11-11T19:04:03Z")
Not directly, no. At least, not without sacrificing all my green tokens and several Germans. The rarely played South Americans, however, give me an excellent indirect path, in this case through **Emperor Pedro I of Brazil**. ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/57 "2010-11-11T19:15:41Z")
That’s brillant! Well played, **paperbackwriter**. You could use Thucot’s Remose or any of the Persepolian plays back to the forefront now. Unfortunately, my only legal moves remaining are from either the southeast asian statelets and, since a Romanov has already been played, the Princes of Chichester. Hopefully an opportunity will arise since the best of all the poor choices available to me might be **Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj ibni Ismail Al-Khalidi of Johore** ---
**Author:** ![Tierce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Tierce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tierce)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/58 "2010-11-11T19:26:56Z")
Westward momentum is building to dangerous levels. Despite the potential Teutonic complications down the road, I’d better slow the pace a bit. **Hirohito**. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/59 "2010-11-11T19:42:35Z")
> [@Tierce](#): > > Good heavens, things have moved on! What to do, what to do? **septimus** ’ play of **Margaret, Queen of Scots** briefly opened up the chance for a Queens Finesse, but that opportunity is long gone. I think it’s time to take a more forceful approach. > > **Charlemagne**. You mean “ **Karl der Große** ”? Don’t think I didn’t see the Germanic identity just under the surface of that Latinate name. I’ll go East as well, and play **Salote Tupou III of Tonga**. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973/60 "2010-11-11T19:52:47Z")
I see some minor complications have set in, but I believe I can still proceed with **Xerxes II of Persia** and crack open the Achaemenids. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genealogical-version-of-mornington-crescent/559973.md?page=4)