For some reason, reading the current Magic thread (with only a very, very vague knowledge of the game) put me in mind of Mornington Crescent :). As we haven’t had a game for a while, and the Olympics is only a week away, I thought, why not?
Since it is an Olympic year and a leap year, obviously all Circle Line stations are wild, and any travel on the Picadilly Line between Heathrow [any] and Earl’s Court gains double points (but may of course take a lot longer than usual and be subject to overcrowding). Any tokens purchased are non-refundable - NO exceptions. Since the Olympics were last held in London in 1948, I propose we stick to the ruleset extant at that time - namely, Brunswuthers’ 6th Edition (including post-war updates) of 1946. Please note however that this of course does not prevent the play of stations built subsequent to that year (according to standard caveat number 3 in said rules - they were designed with the future in mind). Stations demolished or disused since that year will be subject to the usual sub-rules.
In addition, in celebration of the Queen’s diamond jubilee, all stations on the Jubilee line must be played while standing to attention and singing (as best you can) the British National Anthem. First verse only will be fine, thanks - we don’t want the game dragging on too long.
For those new to MC on this board, the convention is to play your stations in bold - it is understood that stations typed without bolding are just being mentioned in passing and do not form part of the actual play.
So, I think that’s all clear - let battle commence with what I think is a fairly safe opener, viz: Oxford Circus. Oysters at the ready, please mind the doors!
Hmm. I now wish I hadn’t opened with Oxford Circus. True, it is a fine outpost in the centre, but it could become dangerously isolated very quickly. With that in mind, I think a swift Notting Hill Gate is in order. I don’t like the look of that green flag. I don’t like it at all. Still, early days yet.
I may surprise you, by doubling back to Knightsbridge, removing the green flag, and declaring stirrups.
I know this hearkens back to the '77 Bombay Invitational where Kalinnikov unveiled his famous White Russian Gambit. I know that he’s fallen into disfavor in the last few decades, as that incident with Lady Greyjayne’s Oyster Card being found in his dirty socks raised questions about the propriety of their partnership, but that was several years in the future back in '77.
What is with bloody Bank all the time? I do it too, but can we get through one game without some clumsy invocation of Del Rey’s Feint?
Never mind, I’m just grumpy because I washed out early of a local rec league tourney they run around here. Anyway, Alperton seems like the right play here.
A classic Alperton Fork play by Cliffy. I fell afoul of that years ago in a college intramural semifinal. Hmm, I think East Acton, while surrendering the short term initiative, does have some long term advantages, if I can just get the game to last long enough.
I’m really thinking a Zone 2 play here may be the way to go and try to start building up a stack of blue tokens. Bakerloo seems like it may have some influence on the mid-game (remember how George “Lasher” Coombs managed to parlay Bushey and Marylebone into victory at the Essex Open in 1978?) so I gotta go with Queen’s Park.
Goodge Street, three tokens, and better luck next time. (I got worried when Saint Cad mentioned Coombs, but I guess you guys never saw the footage of the '79 Essex semis.)
For what it is worth I am going to take a long slide to
**Ealing Common ** and indicate leaves on the track, not so much to restrict the Picadilly line, but I need some time as I have a hot buttered crumpet that needs attending to, and she is complaining the butter is starting to solidify.
Vauxhall?! Are you even looking at what’s going on in the game?! Gunnersbury
And if that play isn’t obvious to you then maybe you shouldn’t be playing this game.
Only on even numbered rounds and if he is currently half way or further through a cup of breakfast tea. (though that can be modified by the number of biscuits remaining in the packet)
