Crossword Genius

Compete with a backward girl for a place (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vienna

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

'a place' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'compete with a backward girl' is the wordplay.
'compete with' becomes 'vie' (I've seen this before).
'a backward' says the letters should be written backwards.
'girl' becomes 'ann' (woman's name).
'ann' written backwards gives 'nna'.
'vie'+'nna'='VIENNA'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for vienna that I've seen before include "Wien" , "Capital on the Danube Canal" , "European city for New Year's Day concert" , "Austria's capital city" , "Capital city on the Danube" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app