Crossword Genius

Guard against black sheep eating a rook (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beware

'guard against' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'black sheep eating a rook' is the wordplay.
'black' becomes 'b' (abbreviation as in pencil classifications).
'sheep' becomes 'ewe' (a ewe is a female sheep).
'eating' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'rook' becomes 'R' (chess abbreviation).
'a'+'r'='ar'
'ewe' enclosing 'ar' is 'eware'.
'b'+'eware'='BEWARE'

(Other definitions for beware that I've seen before include "Steer clear of" , "Wee bra (anag)" , "Look out, take care" , "Archaic injunction to be careful, look out" , "See 18" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent and The Sun.
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