Both chess players going to extremes (5,3,5)

I believe the answer is:

black and white

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'both' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for black and white that I've seen before include "not admitting any middle ground" , "Uncoloured - print - extremes" , "Old (TV); stark contrasts" , "Not in colour" , "Monochrome - print" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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