Crossword Genius

Didn't cheat, having toyed with blonde (6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

played fair

'didn't cheat' is the definition.
(to play fair is to play by the rules)

'toyed with blonde' is the wordplay.
'toyed' becomes 'played' ('play' can be a synonym of 'toy').
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'blonde' becomes 'fair' (similar in meaning).
'played'+'fair'='PLAYED FAIR'

'having' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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