Crossword Genius

Draw of Spooner's patriarchy (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stalemate

'draw' is the definition.
(stalemate is a kind of draw)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for stalemate that I've seen before include "Chess game deadlock" , "Blocked position" , "Inglorious deadlock" , "where moving is impossible" , "Situation offering no way forward" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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