Draughts in our leader’s country pile? (8)
I believe the answer is:
chequers
I believe this is a double definition.
'draughts' is the first definition.
(US term for the board game draughts)
'our leader's country pile?' is the second definition.
(country house of the UK prime minister)
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for chequers that I've seen before include "country retreat in 21 [BUCKS]" , "British PM's official country residence" , "Prime minister's official country residence" , "PM's country house" , "board game" .)