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

So glad you found us, LittleBitofBread! I was a little concerned you might have been lured into some rival establishment where the game of games is played (although not, obviously, to the sublime standards found here).

Angel

Thank you, Maud; it is as ever a joy to be here.
I have had some… adventures along the way, albeit LONG ago in my wilder younger years (indeed, mention of Chatelet Les Halles brings back, let's say, complicated memories of playing Kossuth Square in old Budapest, with a group including but certainly not limited to some very much ex-embassy staff...).

But! To the present.
I don't usually like to squander a pointillist's bonus so early on, but that Queen's Park move leaves me little option. I have to say Gants Hill.

Im going to bring my triple alliteration wild card in early with Bromley by Bow

Audacious @Grammergotrunoverbyaraindear! I haven't seen the triple alliteration wild card so well-played since 1978 when it recovered that disastrous Gants Hill strategy. Still shuddering at that one.

So it has to be Archway.

@Cinaferna , it could also be Westminster, I know some players won’t go there since the Düsseldorf Bureau, but surely enough time has passed?

An impressive run for a Wednesday. My next move will be to Snaresbrook

I would suggest not mentioning Düsseldorf within earshot of the Barnsley vice-chair, is all I have to say about that.

Plaistow

Edited, but may still have mysterious and stubborn asterisks...

<<stern face>> For the second time, I find myself having to remind players of the rule stipulating that players may not interject in the game without playing a move. I refer you to last year’s edition of the Amalgamated Compendium and Players’ Manual, volume III, appendix g. But I shall not dwell on it, so onwards and upwards to

Brixton

Frankly, I’m still trying to forget Maud’s mention of Claridges. 😱

Hampstead

I’m so sorry, TragicMuse. I had forgotten how, ahem, emotional that weekend in Claridges was for you. Let us move toot sweet to

Wood Green

I wasn't there. I'm not particularly sorry.

But!

A minor sixth to Embankment

All this kerfuffle is making me feel it is about time we headed to Tower Hill.

The ladies may hoick their undergarments but it’s necessary.

Undergarments duly hoicked, I am diverting to

Dollis Hill

I am moving further north to Croxley.

I am not entirely sure if my move is allowed, but (deep intake of breath) here goes.
Heathrow Terminal 4

That really is the edge of civilisation as Harry Beck knew it. I'm taking us somewhere safer, civilised by the National Trust Osterley Park.

Speaking of the National Trust, I once had the privilege of sharing a drink with its north-west regional head, back in the days when there was a regular spring conference in Lancaster. She was a great aficionado of the Game, and an enthusiastic proponent of Merck's Gambit.
Which I'm now going to use to take us to Westbourne Park

Time to be brave, having been an avid lurker and spectator in recent years. My dear departed grandmother attempted to introduce me to the game of games back in the '80s, when I was sadly too young to appreciate its finer points. Therefore, I will dive in with one of her favouite moves to
Tower Hill

Welcome, Punks! It’s good to have you with us. If your late grandmother was active on the amateur circuit in the 1980s then it’s likely that some of our older participants were acquainted with her. Possibly even very well acquainted. The Game of Games is an excellent opportunity to for get to know people.

Trying to keep to keep it classical here with a Wright’s Function to Leicester Square

Welcome, Punks! I think I may have met your grandmother at some of the feistier tournaments in the ‘70s and 80s, assuming the interest in all things punk runs in the family and the lady with green hair, an abundance of safety pins and a somewhat challenging attitude towards the established rules of MC was she.

Wood Green

Thank you for the warm welcome 🤗

It's entirely possible and very exciting to contemplate@ComeIntoTheGardenMaud and she certainly always favoured a green rinse in her later years. I knew her as quite a private woman but she became a little more candid towards the end. I once caught her smiling wistfully into the distance and, when I asked what she was thinking about, she simply said 'Copenhagen'.

On that note, I'm going to try a sideways (and hopefully legal) move to Denmark Hill 🤞

Ah, the south London freehand. I shall continue to

Penge West

The rule formerly known as the London Overground rule can be helpful in these situations. Takes us to Clapham Junction.

Welcome, Punks!
Copenhagen does occupy a special place in the history and mythos of the game of games. It has quite a lot to do with the 1968 Northern Caucus it hosted, I believe, when Arkwright's Theorem was finally ratified and saved the bacon of a lot of players who had been fearing expulsion (or anyway polite freezing out).
It also has something to do with the gene pool, available fashions and social culture of that part of the world, of course.
Arkwright's is no good to me here, after that quadrant created a couple of moves ago, but I think I can safely say Southfields

Oh goodness me, before ‘68 it was a constant fear that one would receive the cut direct for even considering Arkwright’s…

Thrilling play so far. Last day of August means gates are eastward.

Tufnell Park.