For anyone tempted to try Aldgate and scenting victory, note that Hackney Wick has already been played using matching initial letters (from Hounslow West), hence Aldgate would be illegal.
Incidentally, as a sideline to this thread while people ponder their next move, try this tasty little gem from the 1990 Problem Challenge Shield (Stuttgart).
A Queensway
B Borough
A Neasden (Stirrups declined)
B Mile End !
A Goldhawk Road !!
At which point A declared Mornington Crescent in 3 aganst any defence. Yet B could so easily have turned the tables. What should he have played rather than Mile End? (Hint: It’s not called the Lateral Defence for nothing!).
I call a pass. Sadly, I have no play that keeps me on the Underground. If you’re using Blackfriar’s Annotations, as most are. I can only find myself on the Tyne and Wear. That’s not very sporting.
Ah Ianzin, my good sparring partner. Glad to see you in the game. That Problem Challenge Sheild is certainly a good one. Rather than Mile End I think I would’ve gone for Elephant and Castle for a more westerly approach. Am I on the right track?
Following on from elmwood’s pass (very sporting of you, by the way - many would’ve gone ahead with Tyne and Wear in the circumstances) I play West Ruislip.
West Ruislip! Wow, I didn’t see that coming at all!
Damn.
Look, I know it’s pathetically defensive, but I’m going to have to declare Larkins and opt for…
Mansion House.
(Sorry).
My dear Francesca, knowing you to be the very skilled and talented player that you are, I’m not surprised that you found the Elephant & Castle line of attack so quickly. It is a good choice, and many commentators at the time suggested it. However, subsequent analysis has proved that if B takes this line, he must ultimately lose to Acton Central or Upney, depending on A’s next-but-one move. I confess I didn’t spot this and was delighted to find the full analysis in Griddock’s Anthology of Modern MC Tournament Play Anomalies (sadly now out of print, but you can sometimes pick up a second-hand copy at MC meets). However, let me stress that you are on the right lines. Hint: think why, exactly, A opted to decline Stirrups.
Good call on Mill Hill, Tapioca. Nice move. Crafty! Although it won’t do me much good, it nonetheless gives me a chance to deploy a Paddock’s Turn, which is one of my favourite moves.
Northwood Hills
And before the old-timers rush in to object, please note we’ve now had two instances of consecutive matching initials, so this particular use of Paddock’s is legal. (See Wackletrugg’s Defined Concordance for MC, section (iii), as ratified at Helsinki '87 and generally recognised as canonical for all non-rabbits gameplay.)
I believe in welcoming newcomers to the game - new approaches to old puzzles, such as Barton’s Sparrow, can shed valuable light in a game where it’s all too easy to get frightened away by aggressive quibbling. However, I do respect that it’s considered gauche to prostitute MC and as such I hereby forfeit one turn.
I ask you all to note that upon voluntary forfeiting, Neasden goes wild.
Neasden has been wild since … the great spooning of '47… wasn’t it ?
Monument. Yes that’s what I was hoping for. Lateral shunt Mill Hill to Grange Hill. Don’t forget that this means that all river crossings are now regarded as closed. Anyone South of the River has to abandon all hope.
With all due respect, I contest Kantalooppi’s move and ask for impartial adjudication.
Argument:
I have previously deployed a Paddock’s Turn
The starting conditions stated that Collingsbury rules apply on Circle & District
At least one Hill has been played.
As such, it is surely the case that Covent Garden, as an ‘inter-northern’ station, falls within the technical definition of ‘void in essence’ unless I am repeating motion west (Gurgens’ MC Canonical Guide, 1996 ed., as ratified at the Dover '98 International Convention). It therefore follows that since Russell Square cannot be reached from CG via an even number of stations without changing lines, it would contravene my declaration of badgers (which has not been revoked and is therefore still in force).
Since I’m sitting out this turn, I’ll be the judge.
Alas, you have made a major oversight. Covent Garden is an intra-northern station. Yes, there was a mistake in the first printing* of the '96 rulebook, but this was corrected in all subsequent editions. Those who attended the conference have all agreed that “intra” was the intended version.
Challenge denied!
the printers were subsequently exiled to North End
Thanks for the ruiling, Tapioca. I admit I only have the first printing of the '96 rulebook. Good call.
Given that Russell Square is allowed to stand, I think it’s time to go on the attack. Obviously in this position a move to Euston would be a bit weak, but consider this…