A board-game for two players in the past (3)

I believe the answer is:

ago

'in the past' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'a board-game for two players' is the wordplay.
'board-game for two players' becomes 'go' (go is a board game).
'a'+'go'='AGO'

(Other definitions for ago that I've seen before include "Back (in time)" , "Previously" , "In past times" , "Gone, past, since" , "(Years) before the present time" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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