Chaos if chief absconds — any left? (7)
I believe the answer is:
anarchy
'chaos' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'chief absconds any left?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'chief' could be 'arch' (synonyms) and 'arch' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'any' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'if' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for anarchy that I've seen before include "Uncontrolled disorder" , "State of disorder in society" , "Lawlessness; chaos" , "State of lawlessness and disorder" , "General disorder" .)