Crossword Genius

As a knight may be, capturing soldiers if asked (2,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

on request

'if asked' is the definition.
(on request means when asked)

'as a knight may be capturing soldiers' is the wordplay.
'as a knight may be' becomes 'on quest' (a knight might go on quests).
'capturing' is an insertion indicator.
'soldiers' becomes 're' (Royal Engineers).
'onquest' going around 're' is 'ON REQUEST'.

(Another definition for on request that I've seen is " When asked for".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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