Crossword Genius

Hand on new piece (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pawn

'hand' is the definition.
(I know that pawn is a more specific form of the action charge)

'on new piece' is the wordplay.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'new' becomes 'n' (abbreviation as in New Testament NT).
'piece' becomes 'paw' (paw is a kind of piece).
'n' put after 'paw' is 'PAWN'.

(Other definitions for pawn that I've seen before include "Get ready for" , "Give as security" , "Deposit as pledge" , "The foot-soldier in chess" , "one used by another" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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