Cambridge college deprived of ale backing enquiry initially — where check expected? (7)
I believe the answer is:
endgame
'where check expected?' is the definition.
(as in the end of a game of chess)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
(Other definitions for endgame that I've seen before include "moves before mating" , "close to board meeting" , "closing moves on chessboard" , "Closing chess moves" , "final moves" .)