Crossword Genius

Enthusiast taking rook for mate (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

friend

'mate' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'enthusiast taking rook' is the wordplay.
'enthusiast' becomes 'fiend' (fiend is a kind of enthusiast).
'taking' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'rook' becomes 'r' (abbreviation in chess).
'fiend' enclosing 'r' is 'FRIEND'.

'for' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for friend that I've seen before include "Comrade for finder" , "China" , "Ally, supporter" , "One in need is one indeed" , "Buddy, chum" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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