Crossword Genius

Close contest's final stage (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

endgame

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'contest's final stage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'close' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'close' could be 'end' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'end' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'game' 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 endgame that I've seen before include "when there are few men left" , "closing moves on chessboard" , "drama" , "moves before mating" , "Final stage in a contest" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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