The inevitable return of Mornington Crescent

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

As winter approaches and the nights draw in, one’s thoughts naturally turn to wholesome, homely entertainment. Instead, though, I invite experienced players and novices alike to join me in a game of Mornington Crescent.

To keep the pace gentle, I’ll begin with an inverse Lepton to

Seven Sisters

If we are playing reverse doubles, as has been suggested, then may I offer Park Royal?

A fine move, Tallisimo, but one that puts us in danger of developing a Leschnikoff Loop. If we return to Oxford Circus and play a classic Admiralty, that takes us to Canary Wharf and opens up a number of exciting options.

Deftly done, Tallisimo and FinsburyCircus. Crisis averted so let’s proceed to

Moorgate

Moorgate eh? Strong play pre-midday...

Ohhhhhhh, yes, Great Portland Street

Rather an intricate move this but I've been practising...

If we can assume the superiority of Parkers 12 Core Tenets as over against the 1950 revision of the Mornington Master Moves publication (I appreciate this is a disputed point), this would open up all Zone 2 stations to players who have previously used the Jubilee line within the last 25 moves.

Therefore the Second Tenet, ('The North Circular shall always be less than or equal to the sum of all southbound Thameslink services') can be applied to the remainder of the game, allowing us to move to...(wait for it...)

Mansion House

Right, I've had a brandy <cracks knuckles> and fed the corvids and here we go. I've been waiting for this sequence of moves to be played so I can introduce The Serendipity Stratagem and say

Tower Hill

Man that feels good

Oh. Surely Parkers’ so-called 12 Core Tenets have been thoroughly discredited since the kerfuffle at the 2010 playoffs when the Admiral played Clapham Junction on a downward diagonal? It took hours to clear up the debris.

I think the quickest way out of this mess is via

Hackney Downs

I should have anticipated your response Maud, are you listening to the Colonel again? We've had our disagreements on this point before, notably the 3 week game at Lucerne in the wonderful summer of '98. (I may say I regard the Admiral as one of the foremost players of the Game of Games that our generation has ever seen)

However I see the merits of Hackney Downs as this allows a simple points change to

Stepney Green

Ooh @ComeIntoTheGardenMaud we clashed in time a wee bit there but you're covered by the Arran Accords, I'll give you that.

There's only way out of Hackney Downs under <ruffles papers> the 2020 Addendum to the Amended Arran Highland Boundary Fault Accords [I didn't agree with all this, but there's only so many times you can call the emergency services in one committee meeting even when they're sitting in the chair next to you], which I believe enables:

Archway

Damn it, foiled again!

Sorry @AutumnCrow, but I think it's for the best if you insist on bringing up outdated rulings like the Arran Accords.

I mean honestly...🙄

The pace of this game is indeed exhilarating!

I admire your tenacity, FinsburyCircus, in clinging to the Tenets despite their comprehensive debunking in 1990, but would encourage you to read the High Court judgment on the matter. It sets out very clearly why the Tenets should no longer be considered lawful (or even decent). The Journal of MC had an excellent article on the matter, too (February 1991 edition, page 754). But I’m not one to hold a grudge, as the Admiral and the Colonel can both attest.

Pimlico

I think there is only one way to go with this Moor Park

Apologies for the typo. I have mislaid my pince-nez. Obviously I meant the Tenets were debunked in 2010, with the Journal’s article (penned by yours truly) being published the following year.

Piccadilly Circus

Well, well, @FinsburyCircus, it would appear we all have feet of clay. I may be slow with my epeé but I'm damned well playing to rules of my forefathers and my forefathers' forefathers <drinks more brandy> and my forefathers' forefathers' fffitherers

Balham

Ah, it was you behind that libellous article? You must have been let out early for good behaviour?

As I prefer a cordial game, I shall keep my own counsel and head to Surrey Quays. That should fit with all interpretations of the rulebook?

Must be good brandy AutumnCrow, your game is improving no end!

<hiccups>

Cannon Street!

The article was not libellous, as the Court of Appeal confirmed, and it was the Dowager Duchess who had to take a little holiday at Her Majesty’s pleasure, following that rather lively night at the MC lock-in at the gorgeous cocktail bar and kebab shop behind Kwik-Save.

WalthamstowCentral

This has indeed been a game played at a faster pace than most I have ever taken part in, such as the game of 2018 (I think) which lasted 11 months, even with the use of the rail replacement bus rule at weekends.

The GOB line rule helps me get to Camden Road via a circuitous route.

I come to cast my bread upon the waters and offer...Maida Vale

I've just realised I forgot to enquire if we are applying the Bakerloo principles to this game? I think the previous moves suggest we are, although it seems we have been a little inconsistent.

All change at Grove Park* *

This certainly is moving fast, but may I pause briefly to thank Tragic for casting bread upon the waters? Speaking as a duck, I am very much in favour of this.

Returning to the game, I believe the Bakerloo Principles are always applied after 8pm, so I can glide smoothly to South Kenton.

No further explanation or explication needed

Holloway Road