Card player a brute, knocking bishop out (4)
I believe the answer is:
east
'card player' is the definition.
(bridge players are known by compass position)
'a brute knocking bishop out' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'est' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for east that I've seen before include "Airport near Derby" , "Opposite of west" , "E" , "Sunrise direction" , "One of four at table" .)