A little crack in gingerbread man (4)
I believe the answer is:
king
'man' is the definition.
(I know that king is a type of checker)
'a little crack in gingerbread' is the wordplay.
'a little' indicates a hidden word.
'KING' can be found hidden inside 'crack in gingerbread'.
(Other definitions for king that I've seen before include "Eponymous giant ape in movie" , "initially unable to move" , "Chesspiece which mustn't be lost" , "Honour for man" , "Court card" .)