Crossword Genius

Dull friend reaches deadlock (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stalemate

'deadlock' is the definition.
(I know that deadlock can be written as stalemate)

'dull friend' is the wordplay.
'dull' becomes 'stale'.
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'stale'+'mate'='STALEMATE'

'reaches' is the link.

(Other definitions for stalemate that I've seen before include "Indecisive chess ending" , "situation without a winner" , "Possible chess game ending" , "An enforced draw in chess" , "A no-win situation in chess" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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