6th Annual Charles Wheatstone Memorial Mornington Crescent Game

[Chris Timson]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Charles Wheatstone, our honoured inspiration and inventor of the greatest musical instrument since the Big Bang itself, was born on 6 February 1802 and hence would have 209 today had he lived long enough. As ever it falls to me for the 6th time to announce the commencement of this year's Charles Wheatstone Memorial Mornington Crescent Game. Last year's worthy winner was Simon H and in accordance with long tradition I call upon him to set out this year's special rules and ordinances and make the opening move.

 

But first, a couple of administrative matters. In previous years I have acted as adjudicator or "Chairman" as well as taking active part in the game. Accusations of bias or conflict of interest have never been made against me, but nevertheless the standard of play has been so high in recent years that I think it would be better for me to take one role or the other. So if you are all agreeable I shall be the game's honorary Humph.

 

Now, for newcomers to the game here is the arena where all play takes place (unless, of course, all players are in Nip or the Nash Convention is in force or diagonals are wild or an inverse sequence has progressed too far to be converted - simple, I'm sure you'd agree). If you need a hint at a tricky juncture then feel free to PM me and I will endeavour to assist.

 

So Simon, over to you!

 

Chris

Edited February 6, 2011 by Chris Timson

[Simon H]

So, without further ado, other than to point out that this years trip down to the archives with Samantha in search of the correct rulebook was very productive as she helped me make a few corrections of old rules in this year's rule book with her eraser. In fact we both rubbed one out together.

 

Anyway, without further ad (again) I declare this years rules to be the Admiralty and Nautical rules, 1775. So get your sailors hats on and hands on your flagstaffs as away we go with:

 

Royal Oak (Hammersmith & Circle)

 

 

Good luck to all who sail in her....

 

Simon H

[SteveS]

So, without further ado, other than to point out that this years trip down to the archives with Samantha in search of the correct rulebook was very productive as she helped me make a few corrections of old rules in this year's rule book with her eraser. In fact we both rubbed one out together.

 

Anyway, without further ad (again) I declare this years rules to be the Admiralty and Nautical rules, 1775. So get your sailors hats on and hands on your flagstaffs as away we go with:

 

Royal Oak (Hammersmith & Circle)

 

 

Good luck to all who sail in her....

 

Simon H

Greenwich (Meridian traversal from diagonal (amended) rule)

Edited February 6, 2011 by SteveS

[Chris Timson]

I declare this years rules to be the Admiralty and Nautical rules, 1775.

 

Noted. A courageous choice (as Sir Humphrey Appleby would say). Hope it works out for you.

 

Chris

[Ransom]

Greenwich (Meridian traversal from diagonal (amended) rule)

 

I'll see your Greenwich, and raise you to North Greenwich!

[Irene S.]

OK ... Pudding Mill Lane? I don't think it's going to burn the house down but it's worth a go.

[Woody]

Taking advantage of the fine Lieut. Bourmaster's Knobbling Free Gambit No. 2, I'll progress to Surrey Docks Quays

[Ransom]

OK ... Pudding Mill Lane? I don't think it's going to burn the house down but it's worth a go.

 

Burn the house down?? You nearly sunk my battleship!

Edited February 6, 2011 by Ransom

[MUTT]

This has been going on for six years? Wow.

 

Perhaps this is a Yank thing (although perhaps not, since Utah is already represented), but I have never had the SLIGHTEST idea of what you wonderful people are on about with this game.

 

That said, play on, and I hope you have a lot of fun.

Perhaps in another six years I might begin to get a clue. Assuming there are any real clues to get.

 

--George

[Chris Timson]

Well hopefully this will help. It's an outline and an explanation of the game I have published in the forum before:-

 

The clue which might help you grasp what is, it has to be said, play of an impressively high order of skill and ability, is that Mornington Crescent is what is technically known as a nomic game, that is, the player is encouraged and expected to modify the rules while the game is actually being played. The references to to rules and variations are the mechanism by which this is done, and the player has to understand the consequences of the rule modifications before applying any modifications of their own. Failure to do so results in penalties, the mildest of which is Knip.The widespread playing of the game in England is probably behind the notable intellectual superiority of the English man and woman in all walks of life.I hope that helps.

 

Chris

[Tootler]

I need to visit my daughter so I'll apply a cross cut and go to Elephant and Castle.

[Rod Thompson]

This has been going on for six years? Wow.

 

Perhaps this is a Yank thing (although perhaps not, since Utah is already represented), but I have never had the SLIGHTEST idea of what you wonderful people are on about with this game.

 

That said, play on, and I hope you have a lot of fun.

Perhaps in another six years I might begin to get a clue. Assuming there are any real clues to get.

 

--George

I look forward to this each year. It is apart from all else, a wonderful spectator sport.

To see a well planned and executed pincer movement on the circle line collapse into a knipp (or nip as it is sometimes spelled) is almost worth putting down my concertina for.

Thrilling play so far this year - keep it up!

[Chris Ghent]

I know the Slink Bypass Move (SBM) of 1911 was disallowed when used by anyone other then the Duchess (who used it on three separate occasions, including February 1910 when she took the great Albert Tuckington to the Bay St cleaners via the Dorchester), but a recent (well, 1927) amendment in the British National Mornington Crescent Committee Supplementary Rules (see Commentary, VII vii) allows a glimmer of hope for those who don't look so good in an evening gown, accordingly Great Portland St

[Woody]

I know the Slink Bypass Move (SBM) of 1911 was disallowed when used by anyone other then the Duchess (who used it on three separate occasions, including February 1910 when she took the great Albert Tuckington to the Bay St cleaners via the Dorchester), but a recent (well, 1927) amendment in the British National Mornington Crescent Committee Supplementary Rules (see Commentary, VII vii) allows a glimmer of hope for those who don't look so good in an evening gown, accordingly Great Portland St

I see somebody's let the colonials in to play fast and loose with the rules. No wonder the Empire's gone to the dogs!

 

If that's the way we're playing the game this year then the gloves will have to come off. I have no doubt that it's all going to end in tears. It'll have to be Ned Kelley's hopping band gambit #3 (outlawed in polite company since 1891) taking me to Holborn, and may God have mercy on us all.

[Chris Timson]

It'll have to be Ned Kelley's hopping band gambit #3 (outlawed in polite company since 1891) taking me to Holborn, and may God have mercy on us all.

 

Have a care, Woody, I'm considering writing your name in my Little Yellow Book.

 

Chris

[PeterT]

Having waited for years (in fact since the creation of ********** ********) to make this move, I will play the canal terminus manouvre, and go:

 

West Croydon

[SteveS]

Having waited for years (in fact since the creation of ********** ********) to make this move, I will play the canal terminus manouvre, and go:

 

West Croydon

Peter

Oh, good move.

I'll see you with King George V - applying Collingwood's Device.

[LDT]

This has been going on for six years? Wow.

 

Perhaps this is a Yank thing (although perhaps not, since Utah is already represented), but I have never had the SLIGHTEST idea of what you wonderful people are on about with this game.

 

That said, play on, and I hope you have a lot of fun.

Perhaps in another six years I might begin to get a clue. Assuming there are any real clues to get.

 

--George

You have to get hold of some episodes of sorry I haven't a clue...then it makes sense. I have he little book of mornington crescent to hand....and a London AtoZ.

 

Having waited for years (in fact since the creation of ********** ********) to make this move, I will play the canal terminus manouvre, and go:

 

West Croydon

crafty...although I found it a nightmare getting there.

Edited February 8, 2011 by LDT