# Has it been that long since our last Mornington Crescent? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 9, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615 "2009-12-09T19:15:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/21 "2009-12-10T15:18:15Z")
**St. Paul’s** And the Devil take the hindmost! ---
**Author:** ![EristicKallistic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/85e7bf/32.png) [@EristicKallistic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EristicKallistic)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/22 "2009-12-10T15:59:27Z")
Hm. I’m late to the party on this one, so I’ll at least collect my 2 red tokens. One of the great heroes in the game, to my mind (despite his crushing, and in my opinion unwarranted, disqualification at Sri Lanka in '89) has always been Brickford. And so I’ll try to continue his good work with a play to **London Bridge** Though in this crowd I wouldn’t be surprised to see a quite cunning answer. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/23 "2009-12-10T16:58:43Z")
Wish I got in on this earlier, so much prime real estate taken already. ☹ Oh well, should be a fun challenge anyway. As Yuri Warchiem said back in the '73 Yokohama 500 Series, “When your back’s to the wall you can’t go too wrong with **Buckhurst Hill**.” ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/24 "2009-12-10T17:00:27Z")
**Buckhurst Hill** after **London Bridge** pretty much forces **Edgware** , doncha think. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/25 "2009-12-10T17:23:01Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > **Buckhurst Hill** after **London Bridge** pretty much forces **Edgware** , doncha think. Sneaky, the double back to Edgware. Are you trying to start a bidding war for the middle? I don’t think I’ve seen such audacious play outside of schoolyards! Well, I throw down the gauntlets on this my good sir! **Knightsbridge** ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/26 "2009-12-10T17:23:59Z")
I’m feeling fairly rusty - I haven’t so much as picked up my copy of Johnston’s _Crescent Companion_ since our last bout - so I’ll start off with **Chiswick Park** , doubled. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/27 "2009-12-10T17:26:27Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > **Buckhurst Hill** after **London Bridge** pretty much forces **Edgware** , doncha think. Pretty much. The only other option I saw was **Dollis Hill** , and you know what happens with that move. Let’s see…Edgware, Knightsbridge, Chiswick Park, is it? I’ll turn in one of my tokens, and go to **Edgware Road** (Bakerloo station). And don’t bother trying to respond with a shunt across the Marleybone Flyover to the District line. (Remember, stirrups have been declared.) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/28 "2009-12-10T17:29:17Z")
hurray… Mudchute! It hardly ever comes into play these days. They banned the “Pankhurst Crutch” in '77 after that unpleasantness and from them on…it’s a rare move that calls upon it. Here’s to Mudchute, good on you sir! ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/29 "2009-12-10T17:31:34Z")
I have been studying my Massakaila, as I confess to a weakness in the early mid-game. However, I think **Edgware Road** opens up the Acton stations, since stirrups are declared. With that proviso: **West Acton** Orrr… **Acton Central**? I will go with my first instinct. **West Acton** it is. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/30 "2009-12-10T17:47:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > **Earls Court** There wasn’t a lot of fanfare associated with this move, but I suspect that when this game is done, we’ll see this as a cunning and crucial early turning point that really shaped the course of play. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/31 "2009-12-10T18:04:15Z")
West Acton? Puzzling, I thought Acton Central was the obvious choice. Well since West Acton is taken, I’m going to declare half-token putsch for **Gloucester Street** to increase the rider count by 4. Effectively blocking any more moves centered around the Double backs already played. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/32 "2009-12-10T18:40:52Z")
OK, I am introducing a delay and following **Gloucester Street** with **Gloucester Street**. Not trying to start a controversy, but I feel it is the best play at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/33 "2009-12-10T18:48:11Z")
Hmm - a relapse play so early? Interesting. Obviously this is an experienced crowd, so I’ll throw a little challenge: What year was this follow-up gambit introduced at both the Madras Open and the Malta Invitational: **Whitechapel**? Bonus for mentioning the two players who came up with this move. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/34 "2009-12-10T19:01:07Z")
The Kashmir Delay Flush as it’s more properly called, was introduced during the rainy season of 1965, when both the Malta Invitational and Madras Open were played simultaneously at the Estate of J. Marcus Covington Kashmir. Boddington was the first player to introduce delay to Whitechapel (Malta). But it was Peppersham who made the spectacular play on a delay at Gloucester (Madras), which looked unbeatable until his diminutive opponent Haversham threw out a return to **Earl’s Court**. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/35 "2009-12-10T19:09:15Z")
> [@Red\_Skeezix](#): > > West Acton? Puzzling, I thought Acton Central was the obvious choice. Well since West Acton is taken, I’m going to declare half-token putsch for **Gloucester Street** to increase the rider count by 4. Effectively blocking any more moves centered around the Double backs already played. You’re forgetting that I’ve already claimed a double approach, which, as any schoolchild knows, invalidates any attempt at the Bodlean Roundabout with a Half-Twist. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/36 "2009-12-10T19:13:29Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > You’re forgetting that I’ve already claimed a double approach, which, as any schoolchild knows, invalidates any attempt at the Bodlean Roundabout with a Half-Twist. While you are absolutely correct about the infraction, the Dickson ruling at the 23rd International (an otherwise dull affair) set the precedent that still stands (as far as I know) that a lifting infraction, which is what you describe falls under, clearly must be called immediately, before any further game action takes place. Failure to do so, invalidates any claims. I also cite Devaney vs. the Oxford Rowing Team, 1994 as further indication. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/37 "2009-12-10T19:18:16Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > You’re forgetting that I’ve already claimed a double approach, which, as any schoolchild knows, invalidates any attempt at the Bodlean Roundabout with a Half-Twist. Except that you are neglecting the Ruling of the 1948 Gathering Of Mornington Officiates, which states clearly and in no uncertain terms, that the Salt Shaker Preempt is not in play when stirrups have been declared until handrails have been achieved or widdershin displacement has been attempted. ---
**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:** [December 10, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/38 "2009-12-10T19:52:21Z")
I’m a relative novice at this, so please correct me if I err. But after the last play I believe **Bond Street** would be appropriate at this point. I think there are more conservative moves available but this move is more geared towards early mid-game strategy. But please continue your erudite discussion of the finer points of relapse play. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/39 "2009-12-10T20:57:49Z")
> [@Red\_Skeezix](#): > > Except that you are neglecting the Ruling of the 1948 Gathering Of Mornington Officiates, which states clearly and in no uncertain terms, that the Salt Shaker Preempt is not in play when stirrups have been declared until handrails have been achieved or widdershin displacement has been attempted. You must be northern. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Skeezix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aca169/32.png) [@Red\_Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Skeezix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615/40 "2009-12-10T21:14:33Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > You must be northern. Such vulgarity! I thought this was to be a friendly game! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-it-been-that-long-since-our-last-mornington-crescent/520615.md?page=3)