Ancient state in Malta served well by old knight (7)
I believe the answer is:
macedon
'ancient state' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'malta served well by old knight' is the wordplay.
'malta' becomes 'm'.
'served well' becomes 'aced' (I've seen this in another clue).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'knight' becomes 'N' (chess abbreviation).
'm'+'aced'+'o'+'n'='MACEDON'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for macedon that I've seen before include "Philip's rule" , "Philip's place" , "Kingdom of Alexander the Great" , "Alexander the Great's country" .)