The sport of kings: Mornington Crescent

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Good morning, all. What better way to begin the long weekend than a new game of the ineffable Mornington Crescent? All are welcome - veterans and newbies alike.

To set the tone, I will start with one of my favourite moves - a double shunt to

Kew Gardens

That case certainly showed up his lack of ability to think several moves ahead, yes.
Speaking of which, this may look puzzling at first glance, but I trust you will all understand the second you apply your fine brains:
Blackhorse Road

Oh my! That’s possibly the most audacious move I’ve seen since the Hon Gwendolyn played Baker Street on the obverse diagonal at the semi-finals in ‘89. I’m stunned. My only remaining option is a demi-lateral to

Brixton

Blimey, this is stunning play!

Demi laterals always excite and bring joy…let’s take it up a notch…

Farringdon. As is often my wont.

And with that, gates are eastward.

So eastward it is, to Bow Road.

In that case, although Gwendolyn is advising me otherwise, I think it has to be

Tower Hill

In which case Tower Gateway

It is the only legal move…

Possibly, Tragic, but maybe Aldwych would have been allowed? Water under the bridge at this point, and so on to

Chalk Farm

The closed lines rule can be played, except on a feast day, so Aldwych is OK.

Edgware without the aid of the Northern Heights rule.

Aldwych is such a versatile and accommodating move - the game of games’ equivalent of a ‘get out of jail’ card.

Lancaster Gate

I was very surprised when I discovered Aldwych was a closed station! I used to use it a lot when I lived in the city. It’s still ‘open’ in my mind, makes things tricky, hence my caution!

South Hampstead. Jubilee line, of course.

Using the Lionesses line rule gets us back to South Kenton. I agree with Tragic Muse in a way, the closure of Aldwych was a sad day.

Ravensbourne

I think.
…

Yes, it's fine, there's a half-putt in play.

I’ve got a reverse Pilkington to use up, so

Arnos Grove

I’ll see your half-putt @LittleBitofBread and raise you a chip.

In combo with Maud’s reverse Pilkington I thing I shall proffer a hearty Kensal Green.

My dad told me it was once watercress fields around there…seems unlikely but who knows!

The Mildmay line rule is needed to help us now. Taking us to Richmond.

I'd forgotten the Mildmay. Excellent move.
I'm going to invoke the Maltese Exception and say Vauxhall

Ooh. That’s very creative. I would never have thought to use the Maltese Exception in that situation, but it sets me up nicely for

Gidea Park

Gidea Park! Oh you minx! But one does like a wee bit of Havering.
I believe that I will need to invoke the Westphalian Protocol and trip the light fantastic towards
Sloane Square

Bright lights, big city! Careful with that arrow, Eros! Piccadilly Circus.

Time for the closed stations rule and a move to Down Street. Churchill's bath was in need of a clean when I visited.

@LlynTegidWell if we are invoking that highly contentious rule (didn’t it lead to Sir Arthur Landon-Darlington-Boyle losing an eye in 1972?) then let’s go with

Aldwych

Well, BananaPeels, it depends whose version you believe. Sir Arthur himself still tells people he lost his eye in a duel, defending the honour of the Contessa, who had been accused (unjustly, he maintains) of an illegal double lateral to Cockfosters.

Turnham Green

At risk of provoking a rendition of I Danced With A Man Who Danced With A Girl Who Danced With The Prince Of Wales…I had it from someone who got it from the butcher’s boy who got it from Sir Arthur’s second valet and he swore it wasn’t the Contessa in the adjoining suite with the double lateral at all.

It was down to a misunderstanding at the Criterion Bar. Something involving a schooner of crème de menthe, a heated and indelicate demonstration of the origins of the shape of a champagne coupe, and a stuffed olive.

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder…

Holborn. Seems safest at this juncture.

You’re probably right, TragicMuse. Once the barman at the Criterion breaks out the crème de menthe, and the schooners that would be tankards by anyone else’s standards, all bets are off.

Wood Green

Are you sure it wasn't absinthe?
Highbury Islington.